Duckling identification

[ShelbyCiave]

Hello,

So I have an adult male Pekin and an adult male Rouen Hybrid (I think). They started getting aggressive with my chickens and are protective over me. I recently purchased 4 blue Swedish female ducklings from Metzer Farms. When I brought the chirping box home from the post office, it contained 8 ducklings. I emailed Metzer and they informed me that I had received 5 female blue Swedish and 3 female black Swedish ducklings and my order was duplicated by mistake. However, one of the “blue Swedish” ducklings looks more like a mallard or Rouen duckling. I’m hoping someone can help me identify the odd ball.

These ducklings have been a little skittish compared to my boys when they were this age, so I currently sit in a pen with them I set up in my house. They have a space heater and a heat lamp and room to explore while they eat and drink. The duckling I’m curious is the one to the right in the center cluster. Thanks!

 

[ShelbyCiave]

@Isadora I did not know they were drakes at the time. I had the chicks and ducks together their entire lives and everyone was fine until mating season… Once I realized that I had two drakes I took action because I am aware they have different working parts and activity can become fatal. Also another huge reason I got the sexed girl ducklings from a hatchery! Fingers crossed they were sexed correctly! My chickens and ducks have an entire acre to free range, so I don’t typically have episodes during the day. The aggression was mainly first thing in the morning or right before bed. Now, my hens sleep on one half of the barn with my potbelly who the hens love, but my felons (drakes) sleep on the other half alone.

@AmeraucanaHank Yes! I think them being able to see me and watch me move around the house has helped. I also have been crushing up dried meal worms for more of an incentive to come to me. They have made huge strides since day one!

 

[ShelbyCiave]

@Isadora I did not know they were drakes at the time. I had the chicks and ducks together their entire lives and everyone was fine until mating season… Once I realized that I had two drakes I took action because I am aware they have different working parts and activity can become fatal. Also another huge reason I got the sexed girl ducklings from a hatchery! Fingers crossed they were sexed correctly! My chickens and ducks have an entire acre to free range, so I don’t typically have episodes during the day. The aggression was mainly first thing in the morning or right before bed. Now, my hens sleep on one half of the barn with my potbelly who the hens love, but my felons (drakes) sleep on the other half alone.

@AmeraucanaHank Yes! I think them being able to see me and watch me move around the house has helped. I also have been crushing up dried meal worms for more of an incentive to come to me. They have made huge strides since day o

@Isadora I did not know they were drakes at the time. I had the chicks and ducks together their entire lives and everyone was fine until mating season… Once I realized that I had two drakes I took action because I am aware they have different working parts and activity can become fatal. Also another huge reason I got the sexed girl ducklings from a hatchery! Fingers crossed they were sexed correctly! My chickens and ducks have an entire acre to free range, so I don’t typically have episodes during the day. The aggression was mainly first thing in the morning or right before bed. Now, my hens sleep on one half of the barn with my potbelly who the hens love, but my felons (drakes) sleep on the other half alone.

@AmeraucanaHank Yes! I think them being able to see me and watch me move around the house has helped. I also have been crushing up dried meal worms for more of an incentive to come to me. They have made huge strides since day one!

 

[Isadora]

Maybe one day! My fiancé was against the idea of getting 4 girl ducklings and 8 arrived and I thought he was going to have a heart attack! If I added more chickens too, I wouldn’t even want to imagine his reaction

Sounds like he needs to have a lesson on what chicken math is.

 

[Isadora]

Hello, and welcome to the site!
Your new ducklings are so cute. Unfortunately I have no idea what your new little unknown could be.
I did want to ask you if you are aware that drakes are not recommended to keep with chickens? If a drake attempts to mate with a chicken he could kill her. Ducks have penises and roosters do not, so at the least he could cause the chicken to have a prolapse and at the worst kill her. It sounds as if your male ducks are in with your chickens and I wanted you to know that it could be disastrous for them, especially since it's spring and their hormones are surging.
I not trying to be nitpicky but in the event you were unaware I wanted you to know.
I hope you get an answer about your mystery duckling soon.

 

[ShelbyCiave]

Also, I have read many different articles on angel wing. I have noticed the articles I read were predominately with Black and Blue Swedish ducks. 3 out of my 4 blue Swedish began developing angel wing. One of them had it so bad that she was bleeding severely from the other ducklings nibbling at her wings. I tried wrapping her wings and she was not having it! I then started to ferment their feed and cut their feed with some overnight steel cut oats. I gave them more greens for snacks and pulled back on the mealworms. Within days, their angel wings had reduced. After about a week, only the severe case had a very subtle twisted wing. Today, after almost 2 weeks of doing this feed method, every case has diminished. I have attached some photos showing the beginning stages of their angel wing. I think if you catch it in time and drastically change their diet, you have pretty good chances at reversing the issue. If you refer back to my post right before this, you can see that their angel wing is 100% improved.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

However, one of the “blue Swedish” ducklings looks more like a mallard or Rouen duckling. I’m hoping someone can help me identify the odd ball.

ya, I don't think that one's a swedish.

These ducklings have been a little skittish compared to my boys when they were this age

Just give it time they will probably turn up.( A little piece of advice, try hand feeding them then they will love you forever!!!)

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

I did want to ask you if you are aware that drakes are not recommended to keep with chickens? If a drake attempts to mate with a chicken he could kill her. Ducks have penises and roosters do not, so at the least he could cause the chicken to have a prolapse and at the worst kill her. It sounds as if your male ducks are in with your chickens and I wanted you to know that it could be disastrous for them, especially since it's spring and their hormones are surging.
I not trying to be nitpicky but in the event you were unaware I wanted you to know.
I hope you get an answer about your mystery duckling soon.

you are absolutely right!

 

[ShelbyCiave]

you should try silver laced Wyandots! They are great breed very hardy and pretty.

Maybe one day! My fiancé was against the idea of getting 4 girl ducklings and 8 arrived and I thought he was going to have a heart attack! If I added more chickens too, I wouldn’t even want to imagine his reaction

 

[ShelbyCiave]

My ducklings are about a month old now. Their feathers are coming in and they are beginning to quack. They run up to me when I come to their pen, cry for me when I walk away, crawl all over me, and eat from my hand Here are some up to date pictures if anyone has an idea of the breeds!