Duck tips

[Newfarmer36]

Im fixina go buy a duck. The group is 3-4 months old. I need some advice/tips please.

1. Can i check the vent at that age to see which ones are male or female?
2. When it comes to breeding(i know they have to be older) do they have to be in water to do that?
3. The duck i have is a male and a little over a year. Hes pretty laid back. But since hes older, will he bully the new one?

Thanks!

 

[Lauren Kim]

I found this in an article:
1. “Step 1: Hold the bird upside down. Hold the gosling or duckling with its feet against its belly. Use your index finger to gently press about 1/2 an inch below the vent with your knuckle. The bird might poop at this point just wipe it off and apply pressure again.

Step 2: With your other hand gently tuck the tail toward the bird's back. Gently place your index and thumb at either side of the vent. Gently pinch them together. You only want to push the vent lips together and you will feel them flexing against your fingertips. Hold it like this for a few seconds and then gently push your fingers open and press down with gentle pressure to make the cloaca invert.

Step 3: If the vent doesn't fully invert gently keep applying pressure until it does. At this point if you have a male his penis should be exposed. It will be either white, pink or even dark grey to almost black depending on breed. It should pop out a little if not it should after a second or two. Females are sometimes hard to sex but should be just red to pink lips with no corkscrew like tip hanging out. Some males will hold it in and can be mistaken for a female. You can always sex them again later when they get a bit bigger. Never keep them inverted more than a few seconds. I can't recall how long but I would safely say 20 seconds max.

Step 4: Release pressure on belly and vent. Gently rub the vent if everything doesn't tuck back after releasing pressure. Rubbing should help gently push the vent back in place."

Vent sexing is usually the method used by hatcheries when you order sexed ducklings.

WARNING! Done incorrectly this can seriously harm your duckling. Either leave this to the pros or try to have an experienced person show you how to do this.”


2. Ducks mate on land just fine.

3. There might be a slight tension between the old duck and the new duck, but they will get used to each other.

 

[CayugaJana]

If they are 3-4 months old I wouldn’t vent sex them. It can injure them plus you lucked out with their age. Just listen to them. The sound they make should be really clear if they are male or female. If they are quite and sound like your male, then they are a male. If they quack loudly, then they are a female. Good luck! Getting new ducks is always exciting!!

 

[chickens really]

Voice sexing and plumage colours with be the easiest way to sex them at that age. What breed are you getting?

 

[Newfarmer36]

Voice sexing and plumage colours with be the easiest way to sex them at that age. What breed are you getting?

I'm not sure. She's black.

 

[Newfarmer36]

Thank y'all for posting! It helps out alot!!

 

[chickens really]

I'm not sure. She's black.

If it Quacks loud it's a Hen and Drakes sound raspy plus have a tail curl..

 

[Newfarmer36]

If it Quacks loud it's a Hen and Drakes sound raspy plus have a tail curl..

Believe me when I say this one quacks LOUD!!!

 

[Newfarmer36]

Well!!! My duck is either in love with this new duck I brought home today or is just excited to have a friend! He's stayed by the side of the coop most of the day so he could see her. I went ahead and let him in there for a little bit. I stood outside the coop and watched to make sure he wouldn't try to hurt her. He rubbed his neck on her for a minute and then laid down. She walked over and laid down right beside him. I took him back out of the coop and went inside. When I went back out, he was on the side of the coop looking at her again and she was laying up against the fence where he was.

 

[chickens really]

Well!!! My duck is either in love with this new duck I brought home today or is just excited to have a friend! He's stayed by the side of the coop most of the day so he could see her. I went ahead and let him in there for a little bit. I stood outside the coop and watched to make sure he wouldn't try to hurt her. He rubbed his neck on her for a minute and then laid down. She walked over and laid down right beside him. I took him back out of the coop and went inside. When I went back out, he was on the side of the coop looking at her again and she was laying up against the fence where he was.

Leave them together..They should be fine...