Can girl duck get the curl???

[Animal_lover2003]

Beak color can help with distinguish the sex but I would not rely on just that. Again, I have just not seen a curly whisp tail end up being a female. Trust me I know your feeling of holding the hope but from my experience it is just what it is.

But I have not dealt with those breads I am Pekin, black and blue Swedish and rouen ducks so yours may have a characteristic I am not familiar with.

I don't know much of the breeds it kinda hey we are throwing them out want some kind of thing. But was told the one that turned out to be the buff that he was a Pekin. guess not haha.

 

[bravecoconut]

What about the quack? Raspy, low for a drake and loud, honking for a duck? I have no clue if it works for all breeds but I haven't found it to be wrong yet.

 

[Birdlove2011]

As long as there is even a sliver of hope. Id hate to cut everyone's space down.

I think there is hope. Again, I have seen some fascinating things when growing mix flocks at young ages together. I have done it a few times now and never had any issues. My ducks really pay no mind to my chickens, I think my chickens have more of a curiosity of the ducks but not one has attack the other they all kind of just do their own thing really. I think just watch and observe them and their behaviors. You will know when something is no longer working or another solution needs to be done.

 

[Birdlove2011]

What about the quack? Raspy, low for a drake and loud, honking for a duck? I have no clue if it works for all breeds but I haven't found it to be wrong yet.

Thats true. Females are very vocal while males make is seem they have to put some effort to make a sound lol

 

[FrostRanger]

I would plan on separating the ducks from the chickens regardless of if you have one or 2 drakes. The issue here isn't whether they get along, it's whether they get along a little *too* well. This is more likely if you have very few duck hens and having no duck hens would be even worse. I would not chance it 'cause it's easy for a drake to kill a chicken hen by mating with her

 

[Animal_lover2003]

Thats true. Females are very vocal while males make is seem they have to put some effort to make a sound lol

I've tried but I think I was in denial.

Blade runner doesn't make sounds often, sometimes it's even silent so trying to compare has been hard.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I've never heard of a female duck getting a drake curl. I don't think that's a thing.
Separate the two and they should start making noise so you can end your hope by their voices.

 

[AshVau22]

My ducks free range with my chickens. They have there own coop. I currently have 1 drake and 3 ducks. So my drake has no interest in my hens plus my roos wouldn't allow it. The curled tail feather is a male trait. In very rare cases a duck with a damaged ovaries can grow one and her feathers could change to resemble a Drake. Side picture of the tail would be helpful. Right now they are young if they are drakes around 6-7 month old is when you will have a problem. The hormones kick in and your hens will be in danger if they have no ducks to mate. And I definitely wouldn't (even with ducks) keep the drakes in a enclosed run with hens. The damage caused to a hen from being mated by a Drake is horrific and a awful way to die.

 

[Birdlove2011]

Yes and to make things clear I do have enough female ducks to balance out my drakes. I think that's probably why I have not had issue mixing the flocks and they pay no interest to the hens and also like @AshVau22 my roos would never allow it lol. Other then free ranging together they do have separate pins for night time. I only have 1 true mix pin where i have 4 chickens and 5 ducks grew up together at the same time and I have not had issues other than removing the rooster who did grow an interest in the female duck.

 

[Birdlove2011]

Again, prepare for future precautions but also watch their behaviors. Getting familiar with your flock and watching how they interact can be really insightful and can learn alot. I believe no two flocks are the same and its all about how you handle and raise them that can have impact on their behavior.