I rescued two ducks. What do I do now?

[Speceider]

Bill color and head shape.....I have handled well over 5000 mallards for work...you pick up subtle differences...

Clint

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bill color and head shape.....I have handled well over 5000 mallards for work...you pick up subtle differences...

Clint

Interesting.

 

[desertdarlene]

I agree with Clint on the OPs mallard being a boy. The other two ducklings look like a Swedish or a mix and the mom sounds domestic, too. I'm glad you saved them.

 

[Younger]

Clint, I am intrigued. Does this sexing only apply to Mallards?
I have two Pekin and 1 Rouen and I am dying to know. They are only three weeks old yesterday. Also, my two Pekin's have different coloured beaks. One is quite orangey yellow the other is more of a pinky colour. They have always been this way.



Does this mean anything to all of you Duck people? Also, my Rouen is much more timid than the Pekins around people however always the first to try something new when it is just the three of them.

 

[Speceider]

I don't know pekins so will not say....

Clint

 

[blondiebee181]

Pekins are hard to tell. I don't know a whole lot about Mallards, it's a bit harder to say until they start to quack (or not) and you will know when they start to quack....females are loud, like a hunting duck call....not kidding. You can youtube male and female duck voices. Males are raspy quackers....you can hardly hear them...you can vent sex ducklings, but it has to be done within a week of hatching so I hear. So happy they found a good home with you! Niacin supplement is really recommended for all ducklings to aid in their leg and foot development. I raised chickens and ducks on flock Raiser as babies and then switched all to layer pellets, but I have all females.

 

[blondiebee181]

BTW OP, you might read my article I just published on here called "To Brood Or Not To Brood: Ducks and Chicks Together" I think you will be fine brooding them together, but you may want to consider separate housing when they all go outside....especially if you end up having a drake....you won't want him trying to mate your chicken hens. Ducks make quite a watery mess too and chickens like things dry.

 

[Younger]

Well, worth a try. LOL Does anyone know about the coloured beaks? They both seem fine, healthy and growing. Perhaps just different pigment?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

This year & this batch of ducklings, my one Pekin Drake has that same light bill. The 2 Ducks' bills are quite orange. However, 2 of my adults came to me last year with pink-ish bills, this year they are bright orange.

 

[Younger]

Ok thanks. They seem fine just wondered as they both came from same place at same time.