It's really hard to determine the sex of ducks until they are at least four or five months old. By then the drakes have the curley tail feathers, and their voices have changed, males make a raspy noise, and females make the expected quack. There are some sex-linked differences between male and female ducklings in a few breeds of ducks, but you have to know what you are doing if you are trying to choose ducks that way. The same with vent sexing. There is a hatchery where you can send for just a few sexed ducklings. (Most places you need to order 10 - 15 ducklings.) https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/Products.aspx?Category=Ducks
It may be best to just try finding adult ducks so you know what you are getting. Try Craig's list, but be sure you know how to tell the difference between males and females. Some newbies have been cheated this way, hopefully that's rare. Also rescue animal organizations sometimes have ducks. Another option is to find a local hatchery you can drive to. Often they will allow you to buy a few adults. Try googling for hatcheries in your state. Oregon has what may be considered the best duck breeder in the country, http://www.holderreadfarm.com/duckling_price_list_page/duckling_price_page.htm
And there are other smaller ones around there I have encountered while surfing the net.
I'ts good to have three females per male, so that would be quite a flock if you try to do it right. My small flock it out of balance, and I am anticipating putting one of my drakes in "time out" for a lot of time during the breeding season. I have a seperate pen he can go in where all the ducks can see each other so they stay happy but it keeps two drakes from ganging up on one female.
It may be best to just try finding adult ducks so you know what you are getting. Try Craig's list, but be sure you know how to tell the difference between males and females. Some newbies have been cheated this way, hopefully that's rare. Also rescue animal organizations sometimes have ducks. Another option is to find a local hatchery you can drive to. Often they will allow you to buy a few adults. Try googling for hatcheries in your state. Oregon has what may be considered the best duck breeder in the country, http://www.holderreadfarm.com/duckling_price_list_page/duckling_price_page.htm
And there are other smaller ones around there I have encountered while surfing the net.
I'ts good to have three females per male, so that would be quite a flock if you try to do it right. My small flock it out of balance, and I am anticipating putting one of my drakes in "time out" for a lot of time during the breeding season. I have a seperate pen he can go in where all the ducks can see each other so they stay happy but it keeps two drakes from ganging up on one female.
