How do you sex a Duck?

[cluckcluckluke]

I would like to know what to look for in a duck to tell if is a male or female.

 

[billw]

Depends on age and breed. If they're adult, the surest indicator for males is a forward-curled feather on the top of the tail. They also have different voices - females quack, while males make a sound that is more like a bullfrog. Depending on breed, males may also have a more muted bill color or with more green tones. And, males are usually bigger than females. Add all of that together and they aren't too hard to tell apart. Some breeds have telltale coloration as well.

If you're looking at juveniles, that can be a lot more challenging.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

My very 1st ducks, I had no clue. Just waited til the heads turned green, so that was like 4mos of waiting to find out. The ducks I have now, I could hear the difference in their voices at about 8 or 9 weeks old. Bill, that was a perfect description of how their voices sound. Or you wait for either an egg or a drake feather. Lol

 

[jdywntr]

If you are talking about the Runners that you have pics of on your profile page you should be able to tell by voice by now. They are fully feathered so there should be a drake curl if male or it may be coming in soon depending on their age. I didn't see a curl in your pics but....

 

[cluckcluckluke]

The two duck I have at the moment i know are girls. I just wanted to know how to sex ducks when i go to shows and all that because not a lot of people around my way know how to sex ducklings or ducks.
The main ducks that interest me are KC's, Runners, Muscovy's, Ancona ducks and Welsh Harlequins.

 

[jdywntr]

If you are talking about adults. All of the breeds except muscovy will have a drake curl. Most, but not all, drakes will also have different and more flashy plumage. This depends on age also about 4-5 months for adult feathers. Some breeds you can tell at a younger age, 5-8 weeks. Pay close attention to how your runners sound. At 2-3 months of age, all ducks, except muscovy, will quack. So if they sound like your girls, they too are girls.

For muscovy, you will be able to tell the difference between males and females by size starting at about 2-3 weeks. After about 6 months, a muscovy drake will weigh around 9-10 lbs or more and a hen will only be about 5 lbs. If you are looking at younger ducklings, you need to ensure they are from the same hatch and then you can compare size.

For ducklings, the only way to tell is vent sexing. I am not experienced and have not yet attempted it as it can injure the duckling if done wrong.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Yeah, I already know the sec of my ducks, but for future reference when I want to buy one at a show and the owner doesn't know themselves.Does any one know how to vent sex.

 

[jdywntr]

Go to the stickies section at the top of the duck forum. There is a thread there. You need to use caution as if it is done wrong, it can seriously injure the bird.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Thanks, will track some one down who knows how to do it as well.

 

[Garrisonkidsduo2]

http://www.metzerfarms.com/SexingVideo.cfm?CustID=1352957

Here is a video on sexing them at day old which actually works better for me when they are a week old. I tend to get a better out come at a week old. Once the babies are about 2 or 3 months old you can hear the difference in the quack. The males sound like they are a raspy sick sound and the females actually quack. At 6 months the tail curl this is on ducks not sure of geese.