How do you tell the difference between Mule and Muscovy ducks?

[bossynbella]

We have a muscovy hen who hatched out ten ducklings about two weeks ago, she lost 4 so now has six. There are two that are HUGE compared to the other four, we have a muscovy drake but also have some anacona and Rouen drakes. Yesterday I saw the Anacona chasing my other muscovy hen around. So now I am worried I ended up with some Mule ducks. How long till I can tell if they are pure Muscovy or not? and What are the signs?

Thanks
Melissa

 

[casslarrabee225]

I found out around 8-9 weeks with my Khaki's. That's when I started to see the greenish feathers on the head of my males. Wasn't 100% until about 13 weeks when the tail feathers started to curl. Not sure if it's the same with Covy's though.

 

[bossynbella]

My question wasn't how to tell if they are boys or girls. Its how to tell if they are pure Muscovy's or if they are crossed with my other ducks = thus producing Mule (sterile) ducks

Sorry if I wasn't clear to begin with!
Thanks
Melissa

 

[Alicia G]

Well I find that mules have a different shaped bill. They tend to be more on the mallard based side. The pattern can also give them away. If the rouen fathered some they may be a mallard based pattern. Anocna is harder to tell though

 

[jdywntr]

You may never know for sure and they may not all have the same dad. If any take more after mom they may look muscovy. I have ducklings out of my runners and some look just like mom, blue but I did not have a blue male so.
Are you wanting to know to sell them?

 

[bossynbella]

Yes, and to know what to keep. I don't want to sell them as muscovys and end up with them being Mule ducks (which I can sell for meat probably) and I want to keep some but I don't want to keep the mule ducks, as I am building a muscovy flock. I plan to pen up my non muscovy drakes after this, I just thought they would stick to their own like they did in the spring. Nope not this time. I will try to get some more pictures and see what you all think.
Thanks
Melissa