Larkwell Valley (2023)

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm usually able to tell around a month old or so. But, it's not a guarantee. The size difference is a big indicator though usually. If the two in that picture are the same age, I would say the barred is almost definitely male. Check their legs too, males have much bigger ones. Also, for the most part, males feather out slower, especially the wings.

They all have naked little stumps for wings. I think the barred is actually the most feather for wings. The white next to him is likely the second largest of the six. The chocolates are all pretty small (one is maybe 1/2 his size and the rest are between him and the others.)

As for your blues, I think both of them in the first picture are, but the one in the bottom looks black? The lighting is different on both images, so it's a bit difficult to say, especially if that last duckling is the same as the one on the left in the one above, lol!

It's the same lighting, my phone camera just tried to fix it automatically. The last is a seperate duckling than the other two, but both were taken at the same time, within about 20 seconds of each other

The other 7 as well as the elder trio all were the typical blue, this one is just confusing me.

I'm not looking to keep blacks (I actually only ordered blues, but considering 4 of my 6 muscovies shouldn't have been possible either, I wouldn't be too surprised, honestly), since I really just want to breed silvers. I'm trying to just move the messy necked ones right now amd figured I should also post this one if it was black and not just a weird blue

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm usually able to tell around a month old or so. But, it's not a guarantee. The size difference is a big indicator though usually. If the two in that picture are the same age, I would say the barred is almost definitely male. Check their legs too, males have much bigger ones. Also, for the most part, males feather out slower, especially the wings.

As for your blues, I think both of them in the first picture are, but the one in the bottom looks black? The lighting is different on both images, so it's a bit difficult to say, especially if that last duckling is the same as the one on the left in the one above, lol!

Also should say, these are all about 5 weeks, give or take a couple days

 

[Canadian Wind]

Well, Blue varies a lot in tone, I have one who is almost black and another who is quite light without being Silver. You may need to wait a few more weeks for more feathers to pop in.

I'm excited about mine, I think I managed to get a couple of Lilacs in there! And there are some with very interesting patterns, although that means nothing when it comes to their adult feathering.

Keep taking pictures, I love duckling pics, especially scovies!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Well, Blue varies a lot in tone, I have one who is almost black and another who is quite light without being Silver. You may need to wait a few more weeks for more feathers to pop in.

I'm excited about mine, I think I managed to get a couple of Lilacs in there! And there are some with very interesting patterns, although that means nothing when it comes to their adult feathering.

Keep taking pictures, I love duckling pics, especially scovies!

Okay. I'll hold onto them for a bit longer then.

These guys are so funny, especially the scovies. I noticed a few days ago that they walk more like geese than my other ducks do.

The barred also has a very prominent hook on his bill. I don't even have to feel his to know it's there, I just have to glance at him and I'll see it.

I'll be kinda bummed that I won't get chocolate hens from keeping him, but I think I'll still get chocolate drake offspring if I keep these female chocolates with the barred, right?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Okay. I'll hold onto them for a bit longer then.

These guys are so funny, especially the scovies. I noticed a few days ago that they walk more like geese than my other ducks do.

The barred also has a very prominent hook on his bill. I don't even have to feel his to know it's there, I just have to glance at him and I'll see it.

I'll be kinda bummed that I won't get chocolate hens from keeping him, but I think I'll still get chocolate drake offspring if I keep these female chocolates with the barred, right?

Yes, their behaviour is completely unlike regular ducks! Actually one of the things I love about them.

Is the Barred a chocolate? Or for sure carrying it? It's a sex-linked gene, so a male can carry and not show and any chocolate offspring will be female. A female needs to be bred with a drake that is either chocolate or carrying it to have chocolate male offspring. If the drake isn't, then all male offspring will carry but not show, and females will not carry at all.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

No, I think it's just black. The 3 chocolates were obvious from day one. The barred started with a grey tail and his feathers look black and white now

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yes, their behaviour is completely unlike regular ducks! Actually one of the things I love about them.

Is the Barred a chocolate? Or for sure carrying it? It's a sex-linked gene, so a male can carry and not show and any chocolate offspring will be female. A female needs to be bred with a drake that is either chocolate or carrying it to have chocolate male offspring. If the drake isn't, then all male offspring will carry but not show, and females will not carry at all.

Okay, so

Chocolate male×not female = carrier males and chocolate females
Not male × Chocolate female = carrier female and not males?

I've never messed with chocolate anything before, and sexlinking isn't my strong suit yet besides fibro chickens and barred chickens

 

[Canadian Wind]

Okay, so

Chocolate male×not female = carrier males and chocolate females

yes

Not male × Chocolate female = carrier female and not males?

Other way around: Carrier male and not carrier female

I've never messed with chocolate anything before, and sexlinking isn't my strong suit yet besides fibro chickens and barred chickens

It can be annoying at times, for sure. Trying to make male Lilacs is a pain in the derriere, since they are chocolate and blue.

 

[fluffycrow]

Pain in the derriere

 

[JacinLarkwell]

yes

Other way around: Carrier male and not carrier female

It can be annoying at times, for sure. Trying to make male Lilacs is a pain in the derriere, since they are chocolate and blue.

Well dang, I guess no chocolate babies for me