Got some new birds today!

[arherp]

I got a probable pair of Treeducks. Very cute, tiny little guys. Pics coming soon! Any tips? Largest wire size they can have?

 

[suzysducks]

Arherp I might have some tips (i have or have had most kinds) but need to know what species of tree ducks you have? Can you post a picture? It would help in determining their sex as you say they are a "probable" pair

 

[Mark HSV-AL]

I dont think that a picture is going to help you at all with determining the sex of the tree ducks but it would definately help in identifying what species. I sure hope that you didnt get your birds from the same guy that OzawkieBantams got his from, he was sold hybrids and the seller was a real #ss about it when confronted about selling hybrids. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/627386/i-got-me-some-fulvous-tree-ducks
Anyway, I have kept White Faced, Fulvous, Cuban, Black Bellied, Eyton and Wandering Tree ducks and other than very small differences that vary between individuals they all look the exact same. Some say the noise they make when you catch them up is different on males and females of certain varieties but the only real way to be sure is to flip the bird over and vent sex it. Fortunately sexually mature tree duck males are very easy to sex but not so much with the younger birds. As for the wire size, I use 1"x2" welded wire and 2" x 2" woven wire http://www.louispage.com/fences/lawn-garden/ the link I provided shows the type but I get it quite a bit cheaper at our County CO-OP.
Best of luck with your new birds, cant wait to see the pictures.

 

[arherp]

These are Fulvous, and I vent sexed them.

 

[suzysducks]

In regards to difference in appearance between adult Fulvous males and females, in my own birds I have noticed the "slightly duller and smaller" appearance of the females as described by Paul Johnsgard in his book Ducks Geese & Swans of the World. I guess it's because I observe and study my birds so closely that I have noticed these small differences between the sexes and thought it might help a bit to see a picture, but after considering Mark's comments, probably wouldn't help and I agree vent sexing is the way to go. Mine have used both raised and ground nest boxes, clutch sizes have been around a dozen eggs in my experience. It's exciting that you have them and would love to see pictures ....

 

[Mark HSV-AL]

These are Fulvous, and I vent sexed them.

Great, did you end up with a pair? If not there is a lady close to me that still has quite a few available. As far as nesting, my fulvous always chose the tall grass but I had one pair of Silver Fulvous that liked a ground box. I never did have a pair of fulvous that used an elevated box but the black bellies love em. As long as you have good stock then Fulvous are about the easiest breed to keep here in North Alabama. Most of the locals around me have quit breeding them because if allowed you can get 30 or 40 ducklings off of one pair per year. They will start breeding in January and will not quit until around August.

Suzysducks, I know what you mean in that there are small differences that will be noticed when you have birds in your pen and you know which ones are males and females. I have 15 White Faced Tree Ducks in my aviary and I can look at each one of them and tell you which is the male and which is the female but I couldnt go to another aviary and do that for sure. Sounds like you are like myself and most other bird people, you would rather sit outside in your aviary and watch the birds for 3 hours than catch an episode of American Idol inside the house..

 

[arherp]

The vent sexing is what led to my conclusion of a probable pair. Couldn't get anything to "pop" on the "female", and felt no bulge. She is also oh so smaller than the male. I know I have either a pair or two males.

Mark, I don't want anymore really, but out of curiosity how much does she sell them for?

 

[destinduck]

I agree that vent sexing is the best by far but I can also tell by their noises what they are as well plus what suzyducks said .Mine have always layed in ground boxes that are shaped like woodduck boxes with a 5-6 in hole.Always great parental units. I know what you mean by having too many Mark Thats a good thing. I just saw some (7)at our local pond coming back home! Arherp It sounds like you for sure have a pr. You will have more. LOL! I havent tryed the eytons yet. But Im sure I will before its over.

 

[kangababy]

The vent sexing is what led to my conclusion of a probable pair. Couldn't get anything to "pop" on the "female", and felt no bulge. She is also oh so smaller than the male. I know I have either a pair or two males.

Mark, I don't want anymore really, but out of curiosity how much does she sell them for?

All of my tree ducks laid in the ground boxes this year. and we still have plenty of Fulvous to go around... we are asking $75 a pair for them.
www.mhwaterfowlfarm.com

 

[arherp]

KB, wow, 75$ a pair?!? I need to bring the sale babies down around where you live, haha! They go for around 20 bucks a piece up here lol...