Khaki Campbell Questions

[kmorgan406]

Hello!
We recently acquired 7 Khaki Campbell ducks. We thought they were all females... but today we saw the below picture happening!

Now, that seems like some nookie to me! Yes?
So, my questions... can we assume that any and all duck eggs are fertilized or are these two just having some pool fun this time of year? Can we eat fertilized duck eggs if I gather them every day and the ducks are not sitting on them? Furthermore, do I need to worry about this drake trying to mount my Buff Orphington hens? I thought I had read somewhere that you do not want male ducks living amongst female chickens for fear of him killing them. I appreciate any insight as my current Google searches are not answering my questions!

 

[sourland]

Ducks are very sexual birds, and hens will mount other hens in the water. Yes you can eat fertilized eggs as they will not develop unless incubated. The call drake may very well mate the larger hens. Drakes raised with duck hens generally do not try to breed chickens. Your birds should be old enough for voice sexing. Ducks 'quack' and drakes have a raspy/quieter note. Drakes should also soon develop tail curls.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Sourland is right. My female Khakis do that all the time (even though I have a drake). We also eat fertilized eggs all the time.
You can sex young Khakis by looking at the feathers above the tail. If they are two-toned you have a female (like the duck on top in the pool), if they are solid and dark you have a drake (see picture of mine below). It may be the lighting but the one standing directly behind the pool could be a drake.

 

[kmorgan406]

Ducks are very sexual birds, and hens will mount other hens in the water. Yes you can eat fertilized eggs as they will not develop unless incubated. The call drake may very well mate the larger hens. Drakes raised with duck hens generally do not try to breed chickens. Your birds should be old enough for voice sexing. Ducks 'quack' and drakes have a raspy/quieter note. Drakes should also soon develop tail curls.

Thank you for all the great info!! I knew my call duck was a male due to his curled tail feather. These khakis are older, so I really hope we have all females. I love having them!

 

[kmorgan406]

Sourland is right. My female Khakis do that all the time (even though I have a drake). We also eat fertilized eggs all the time.
You can sex young Khakis by looking at the feathers above the tail. If they are two-toned you have a female (like the duck on top in the pool), if they are solid and dark you have a drake (see picture of mine below). It may be the lighting but the one standing directly behind the pool could be a drake.

View attachment 2331201

Thanks for the tips! I will take a closer look at their tail feathers for the coloring.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

so assuming the khaki are all girl... is the call your only drake?

 

[kmorgan406]

so assuming the khaki are all girl... is the call your only drake?

Yes, and he is a sweet little guy. He follows my chickens and goats around the yard. He is not too sure about these new ducks yet...