Poultry auction

[lakota_elder]

I recently went to a poultry auction and saw loads of day old to week old ducks. Is there any way at that age to figure out what breed they are.. are do you have to trust what the sell tells you??

 

[CindyS]

The larger breed ducks can be identified by color. If they are muscovys they come in many colors, but sound different and have a more pink bill. Do a little research before your next auction so you can get an idea if the seller is honest and has what he says he has.

 

[Wifezilla]

You can check photos on feathersite.com or look at hatchery websites to try and learn what is what.

It is pretty easy to tell baby mallards, rouens, anconas, pekings, buffs and runners, etc... once you know their main characteristics.

As for moscovies, look at their feet. They have some SERIOUS claws!

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Yeah, practice helps. If there is a particular breed you want, look for pictures of them at different stages of life. Many of them "change" colors as they mature.

And make sure you quarantine.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

After hanging around this site long enough, and reading the posts and looking at the pics, I can identify 99% of the common duck breeds, and about 60% of the common chicken breeds. That and feathersite will teach you what to look for in a heartbeat.

Most of the time, the only breeds you will come across are mallards, rouens, pekins, and muscovies, at least in my area that's all you see. Maybe take a "cheat sheet" with little tidbits about each breed.

For example:

Pekin = solid yellow down, white as adults.
Rouens = Two eye stripes, bigger than mallards as adults.
Mallards = 1 eye stripe


You could fit it in your pocket and check it to make sure what you are buying is true.

 

[lakota_elder]

Thanks for the tips...!!! will go to the auction with a few more ideas and less hopes of finding WH......