can you sex ducks before they get the tail curl??

[Fancie]

I have 6 pekin I am raising for meat. But was thinking of keeping a pair for a project. Can I tell who is a pair b-4 it comes time to take care of the rest?

Also at what age do they get the curl feather?

Also will they be fethered by the time it comes to slaughter? they are 6 weeks now and I don't see feathers yet. aint it supposed to be 8 - 10 weeks???

Thanks

 

[ChickenToes]

My Khaki drake didn't get his drake feather in until 13 or 14 weeks. By that time he already had the rest of his male coloring.

It's possible to sex them earlier by their voices. Females are loud and they quack, males sound hoarse and whispery and do not quack.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Yes, by their voice. Males are hoarse, and females are very very loud.

 

[Ducklove334]

by 10-12 weeks old, they get thier adult voices, hens QUACK loudly, drakes have a very quiet voice that sounds like a very hoarse whisper.

my crested mallard duckling, Jumper is only 3 weeks and she's already got the adult hen cracklies, she still chirps, but every once in a while a tiny quack will pop out

 

[Wifezilla]

Khakis would be easier since the males and females look different. Pekings...well, they are all white regardless.

So I should be able to hear the girl quack by 3 weeks. Hummmm.