Gender Mix up =O

[NamahKatana]

With some help from the forum and a little research and them being old enough, I have figured out the gender of my ducks!

I have 2 Muscovies and 2 Indian runner mixes. We thought we had a male and female of each but with some current research have found out that the Muscovies are drakes and the IR mixes are hens(correct term for females duck??)!

We have Donald(White headed Muscovy Drake), Daisy(Black headed Muscovy Drake), Daffie(grey and white IR Mix hen), and Daphne(black IR mix hen)

Now

Then

 

[dianaross77]

Did you voice sex the runner mixes? Or are you just going by the absence of a drake feather?

 

[NamahKatana]

Quote:
Both. They both have the normal girl quack and no curl.

 

[dianaross77]

Good deal! Better than getting two boys again, huh?

 

[NamahKatana]

Very! I'd be very sad if they were all boys. A question will they interbreed? Also at what age should they start to lay?

 

[dianaross77]

I have no idea when they'll start laying. The muscovy drakes will breed them but the offspring would be sterile because they are different species.

 

[NamahKatana]

I read some where that they should lay between 5 and 7 months? Not sure were or if its correct. and awe that kinda sucks but that would be an interesting mix!

 

[dianaross77]

Well, if your girls will sit on the nest the babies will hatch. The babies just won't be able to have babies.

 

[NamahKatana]

Well there is a small perk to that lol If some one wants ducks but no babies. Would a chicken be able to hatch the eggs? I have 2 broody girls that are always trying to sit on their eggs. Would they accept the duck eggs?

 

[Amiga]

My runners started laying between 16 and 22 weeks. Larger breeds tend to start later.