Drake now a Hen...Help !!

[monathequeen]

Hi Duck Owners.
I Have Two Rouen Drakes Who Just Molted For The First Time. Ihave Noticed That Since The New Plumage Is Coming In, One Of The Drakes Looks Totally Different Now. His Head Is Now Striped Instead Of Green Like Before. And The Wing Feathers That Had A Beautiful Purple, Blue Marking Is Gone...i Cannot Figure Out Why This Is Happening. Can Anyone Give Me Some Info On This Freaky Transformation.
I Really Hope He Isn't Trying To Be A She...i May Have A Lesbo-duck On My Hands. What Do You Think ?

 

[ducklover15]

It's okay. After mating season the drakes loose their drake feathers and look exactly like the females. Next Spring he'll look petty again. =]

 

[monathequeen]

Thanks For The Quick Reply....i Barely Left The Comp. And There Was A Message. Ok Then Why Is One Of The Drakes nEW Feathering Exactly The Way He Looked Before The Molting Started. And The Other One Not ? Hummmmmmm

 

[ducklover15]

Were they born at different times? I had two drakes who molted at different times because of when they were born.

 

[monathequeen]

I bought them at the same time. They were about a week or two old.
They started molting at exactly the same time.
I'm glad to know that this is normal. On the other hand, I heard that if there isn't a drake in the group of hens, a hen will sometimes assume the roll of male and will try to mate with a hen.
I also have three Pekin hens and keep them seperate from the drakes most of the time and one of my hens will mount the other hen in the pool....it's rather funny to watch. But, if you have two drakes together most of the time, will a drake try to assume the role of a hen ??

 

[ducklover15]

Drakes do tend to mount each other to assert dominance, but I'm not sure if they do what hens do. That's a good question!

 

[monathequeen]

Is a female duck also called a "Hen" ? I thought all female birds, chickens, ducks ect...were refered to as hens. Is this correct ? My roommate says no...it's a Drake and a Duck ... not a hen....uuugghh !! He thinks He's always right. I hope I'm right this time.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
you are not, he is

 

[monathequeen]

Well Crap....guess you learn something new everyday.........

 

[Ducklove334]

Quote:
you are not, he is

I've always called them hens, I don't give a doodle if it's right or not, it sounds better, i even call my goose HEN a HEN