New duck owner questions Help!

[jessicamelton]

I tried the venting thing and I did not actually see any penis's. on one something was trying to pop out but what about if there is just a bump that pokes out would that be a male?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I’m new to ducks so I really appreciate any advice. I see a lot of different opinions online. I’ve uploaded some pictures.

Very cute! Enjoy them!

 

[dotporter]

They are adorable. How old are they now?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

One to four is if you Want them to have fertile eggs. Seven to ten per drake makes sense if you don't want a ton of chicks running around. It also makes for a VERY happy drake!!!!!

So, the hens he mates aren't going to have fertile eggs? That just means some hens are going to escape his clutches. With muscovies if I had that many females, I would be super worried that I would not discover a clutch or gather all of the eggs and have a massive amount of ducklings.
If 4 keeps him happy enough, then 4 is all I would need - to keep up with. I can collect eggs easier from 3 or 4 than from 10 duck hens.
As well, I don't need that many eggs to eat.

 

[jessicamelton]

They are adorable. How old are they now?

3 days

 

[Lil Drake40]

They are beautiful.

 

[dotporter]

3 days

Oh, my goodness. When you said feathered I thought they were much older! Those little fuzzies still need a heat lamp. They are SOOOO cute though!!!!!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I tried the venting thing and I did not actually see any penis's. on one something was trying to pop out but what about if there is just a bump that pokes out would that be a male?

Even experienced duck handlers who know how to properly vent sex gets it wrong - that is why you will see posts that ask about genders and state they were all supposed to be one sex.
I wouldn't worry too much right now, you should just enjoy the ducklings.

 

[jessicamelton]

Oh, my goodness. When you said feathered I thought they were much older! Those little fuzzies still need a heat lamp. They are SOOOO cute though!!!!!

I will still have one on them even though our heat index here is a 101

 

[dotporter]

I will still have one on them even though our heat index here is a 101

Ouch! That's a heck of a heat wave!