Mallard Questions!!!!!!!!!!

[Luciesbuddys]

I have a mallard that we thought was a female because of its quack but i noticed a green sheen. "It" is only 5 weeks.... i'm guessing It is a male. Agree or Disagree?

 

[TexasVet]

Two ways to spot a male... the green coloring and a curly feather in the tail. Mine didn't change until they were 5-6 months old and molted. On, and if you listed closely the females quack louder.

Kathy in Texas
www.ChickenTrackin.com, www.CountryChickens.com

 

[Luciesbuddys]

yeah I thought they didn't change color till they were a lot older mine are only 5-6 weeks! It sounds like a girl but has green like a boy...... and the tail feathers are strait so that is no help

 

[Borncountry419]

Where exactly is the green? I'm assuming it's the speculum on the wing(?), since a drake probably wouldnt be developing green on his head at that age. Mallard hens can have a green sheen in some feathers, and the speculum will be green. If it has a loud quack it's pretty much guaranteed to be a girl. If it's a quiet, squeaky quack, it's a drake.

 

[duckking]

My Mallard and Rouen hens all had a green sheen on their heads and my Rouen even looked like she was developing a white neck ring right up until 5 months. Had a lot of people fooled. We were hoping for a drake, but ended up having to go out and buy one!

 

[Borncountry419]

Duckking, I had a hen that was the sane way. She actually had a ring going halfway around her neck. And right now I have a young buff hen that for some reason has a white ring around her neck (hatchery bird, go figure).