My female duck is now a male duck... is she going to die?

[CaringforWildlife24]

Hi guys I haven't been here in a while but google has NOT been much help so I wanted to reach out to other duck owners for their opinions/experiences. Sorry the title is so dramatic, but that's pretty much the gist of what I am asking.

Some information, I have a female mallard named Billy, she is 7 years old, has not laid an egg in about 2-3 years, and a couple of months ago she began her transition to a male mallard. I know this can happen in some birds, so I wasn't too worried about it considering she is old and has not laid an egg in a long time, I figured her ovary just retired and her body thought she was a male. She is acting normal, happy, eating well, but a friend of mine informed me she saw an article saying that mallards who transition to male do that due to their ovary being damaged or infected with an illness, and it will ultimately kill them in a few months.

Now I don't know how true this is, but I also don't want to take a risk. Like I said, she is acting COMPLETELY fine, but I have no idea what is going on internally. Has anyone experienced transgender ducks before? Will it kill them? Any information will be helpful! Thank you so much.

Will post a comparison image below so you guys can see how she looks now vs before New billy on the left, old billy on the right!
View attachment 3804973

No, birds don't "transition ". LOL!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is fascinating. I did not know ducks could change to a drake appearance, so thank you to the OP and others for sharing this. As for the more controversial aspects - whether a hen in "transition" can ever actualy become a breedable male? Apparently the jury's still out on that, so I'll be watching this thread for, er, further developments!

 

[The Coop Crew]

This is fascinating. I did not know ducks could change to a drake appearance, so thank you to the OP and others for sharing this. As for the more controversial aspects - whether a hen in "transition" can ever actualy become a breedable male? Apparently the jury's still out on that, so I'll be watching this thread for, er, further developments!

I did read that chickens can “transition” and even successfully mate in a book I read about chickens! Idk if that makes it true but when I read it I about fell over so interesting!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I did read that chickens can “transition” and even successfully mate in a book I read about chickens! Idk if that makes it true but when I read it I about fell over so interesting!

It bears investigating, doesn't it? I don't suppose you remember the name of the book? Or how extensive this transitioning goes? Is it just a change in appearance? Or ... all the way? Hmm.

 

[The Coop Crew]

It bears investigating, doesn't it? I don't suppose you remember the name of the book? Or how extensive this transitioning goes? Is it just a change in appearance? Or ... all the way? Hmm.

It’s called “How to Speak Chicken”. It was actually a really good read.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It’s called “How to Speak Chicken”. It was actually a really good read.

Thanks. I'll look into it.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Exactly my thoughts. I first heard this nonsense from a well respected poultry book. I was very surprised. No amount of hormones can EVER in any species, cause a true gender reversal.

Multiple species can change their sex, especially invertebrates.
You don't have to like science, just don't deny that it ever happens. More happens in this world than you or I will ever fully comprehend.

Some believe female ducks can become male, when ovaries are damaged, they begin to produce male hormones and their body changes. How much it changes is hugely up for debate, but sex is defined by multiple things, chromosomes, hormones, reproductive system, etc. And when most of those become male, it is fair to consider that animal to then be male. This is hugely controversial, but there's no use getting offended by a person saying that their duck switched sexes.

Hi guys I haven't been here in a while but google has NOT been much help so I wanted to reach out to other duck owners for their opinions/experiences. Sorry the title is so dramatic, but that's pretty much the gist of what I am asking.

Some information, I have a female mallard named Billy, she is 7 years old, has not laid an egg in about 2-3 years, and a couple of months ago she began her transition to a male mallard. I know this can happen in some birds, so I wasn't too worried about it considering she is old and has not laid an egg in a long time, I figured her ovary just retired and her body thought she was a male. She is acting normal, happy, eating well, but a friend of mine informed me she saw an article saying that mallards who transition to male do that due to their ovary being damaged or infected with an illness, and it will ultimately kill them in a few months.

Now I don't know how true this is, but I also don't want to take a risk. Like I said, she is acting COMPLETELY fine, but I have no idea what is going on internally. Has anyone experienced transgender ducks before? Will it kill them? Any information will be helpful! Thank you so much.

Will post a comparison image below so you guys can see how she looks now vs before New billy on the left, old billy on the right!
View attachment 3804973

OP I do not believe that this is a true sex change. Sometimes hens develop hormonal imbalances which change their feathers, some hens have this- without a vet doing tests on her, there's no reason to believe that she is now male.
I'm sure your girl is okay, just with a new set of feathers! I expect this is just a hormonal imbalance

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I don't think females with a damaged ovary can ever father offspring. They still have the same chromosomes as a female, and especially in ducks, they literally lack the required parts for breeding successfully.

As for it being dangerous, it's really not apart from the age aspect. I have several chickens that have lost their hormones for one reason or another and they appear to be just as happy and healthy as they did when they did lay eggs.