How to identify a Drake w/o feather

[FlightsofFancy]

Hello ALL! I just got my first ever Blue Swede ducks! Yeah!! Thanks to Helmstead!

OK....a few questions: We thought we picked out a drake and two hens. The flock we pulled them from had been over breeding and the hens all had bald patches on their necks, so that seemed pretty easy. Pick 2 with bald spots and one w/out. Many of the Drakes lost their drake feathers during the catching. However, one hen looks like she is mounting the drake. Is this normal? Or do I have a dominate hen with 2 other hens?
Is ther a way to sex them w/o a drake feather?
Also, any suggestions on keeping the smell down? I have a baby pool that we dump and refill 2x a day, but the area that they poop in really reeks. It seems to be contained to the area right by the pool.
Thank you!

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

You can sex them by voice, ducks have a loud clear quack while drakes sound very raspy, like as if they have a sore throat.

 

[helmstead]

Hey Flights - that is so true about the voices. I have noticed it with mine, too. The ladies are loud and clear...and the drake has a quiet voice. Next time you're here...observe.

 

[FlightsofFancy]

Thank you!
I will plug my ears in and see if I have a drake....sigh!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Males have a raspy quack where as females have a very loud quack.