Muscovy Duckling Gender

[Nighthawk78]

Hi guys!
It's that time of year again where we get inundated with ducklings. Unfortunately this year, we only have one (which has been delegated to me to me to raise, but that's not the purpose of this thread). Nugget is now just over four weeks old (30 days) and due to start growing feathers in the next few weeks. I'm quite curious to know whether its a he or she. In the first 2 or so weeks we called it a he, due to our terrible luck in the past and backwards pessimism but sometime around week 3 I began to suspect it was a she due to how small the feet were (currently referring to it as a she). Now, looking at her again and how long her body appears, I'm second guessing it once again. Just curious if anyone had any guesses as well. I know it's difficult to guess at this age but I thought I'd get other people's insights.

Personality-ways, she's super friendly, cries when left alone which is understandable, loves to sit on your shoulder and/or lap, and is generally happiest when snuggling with me or my classmates or following me around the house. Obviously, personality is not reliable cause one of the first ducklings I raised had us all convinced it was a drake, but she turned out be a super-agro duck who just liked biting people.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nugget is a doll. But its very hard to tell at the age she is so give it a few more weeks. She looks small but when there aren't others to compare too?

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I’ve got no idea, but he/she sure is cute!

 

[Nighthawk78]

7 weeks old today, Nugget is still an adorably curious-but-cuddly little duck and is still happiest spending time in my lap (which she/he actively seeks out when in the company of other ducks). Looks like she/he's gonna have a grey head like one of our other ducks which is adorable.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Nugget is precious! Feet look large but legs look slim. Also feet over lapping can mean female. If you could get some good side views and a full front view we maybe be able to tell better. It can take longer when you don’t have another same age for comparison.

 

[Nighthawk78]

It's difficult to get a front view! I managed some, but they aren't very clear

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just don’t know lol sorry I’ve had Muscovy since 2004 and it’s still hard for me. Maybe post pics again in a few weeks. I am kind of leaning towards drake now. Let’s see if @learycow might be able to help.

 

[johntfs]

Is it too late/difficult to do a vent sex?

 

[Nighthawk78]

Is it too late/difficult to do a vent sex?

I'm not sure, I have never attempted a vent sex before and do not want to try as I have heard it can hurt the duckling if not done correctly

 

[johntfs]

Here's a video I saw about it.

Of course these seem to be Pekins who are maybe a day or two old. It could be that Muscovys are different and that your little Nugget is too old. While the girl in the video can pick them up with one hand and open the vent with the other, Nugget would probably need two people. One to hold/control her(him?) and the other to carefully open the vent to see if anything pops out.