Quack went away

[Kbduckmom]

Hey All!

I got some ducks from the hatchery. Two Welsh Harlequins and what we think are Buff Orpingtons, although we were told they were runners.

Anyway, when they were about 3 weeks old, the WH sounded like their voices were changing, like a slight quack. Since then, they’ve stopped and only one of the Buffs have started definitely quacking. They’re now 8 weeks old and I’m assuming my WH are boys, but I still wonder about that early quack. Anyone else experience this raising ducks? What have you noticed?

I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough, but I’m feeling impatient.

 

[chickens really]

Post some pictures please.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

If you pick up one of the Welsh Harlequins, is he quiet or is she peeping and quaxing loudly?
My Buff Ducklings started quaxing (peep, peep, peep, quax) very early, but stopped, so i thought it was my ears betraying me. Then the White Layers started quaxing loud and clear and the Buff's joined in. The Magpies were last to join the choir.

 

[Kbduckmom]

So here are my ducks. The buff/runner with the pinkish beak is definitely female and quacks loudly. We’re fairly certain the other buff/runner is male.

I have a picture of the WH when they were a few days old. This is what has led me to believe they’re males, given the indistinct tip on their beaks. They also seem to resemble drakes in color more than ducks. So I’m assuming they’re male, but I can’t get over the slight quack they had at 3-4 weeks. They’re pretty quiet now and just kind of squeak when they’re unhappy. The female buff has been quacking for a few weeks and they haven’t joined in.

 

[Kbduckmom]

If you pick up one of the Welsh Harlequins, is he quiet or is she peeping and quaxing loudly?
My Buff Ducklings started quaxing (peep, peep, peep, quax) very early, but stopped, so i thought it was my ears betraying me. Then the White Layers started quaxing loud and clear and the Buff's joined in. The Magpies were last to join the choir.

How old were your ducks by the time everyone joined in? Mine are 8 1/2 weeks and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m hoping too much for females

 

[Duckworth]

Those Welsh have pretty dark colors for females, so if you are thinking drakes based on voices, you are probably right. My Welsh females all started off with white or brown heads, but not black. The olive color of your Welshs’ bills also suggests they are drakes. Females have a more dark grey bill, though mine were more orangey before they turned grey. Time will tell.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

How old were your ducks by the time everyone joined in? Mine are 8 1/2 weeks and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m hoping too much for females

Well, the Buffies started quaxing at just two weeks! Then stopped for a week and then joined the White Layers back when they all were about tree weeks old. I have one BO-drake and i could identify him pretty quickly, he was the duckling that just went limp and quiet when being picked up while the others quaxed "bloody axe murderer" and were flailing violently with their legs and their wing stumps…