Sexing Appleyards

[tiffanya]

I have 7 three week old Appleyard ducklings. Other than vent sexing or waiting for the females to quack are there any color differences between ducks and drakes anytime soon? I'm trying to be patient, but it's sure fun to guess!

 

[rainy day ducks]

Not that I am aware of. You will be able to distinguish their raspy quacks and see the dark feathers around their face starting to come in at about 6-8 weeks. Chris Ashton's book has a picture of juvenile drakes if you want a reference picture.

 

[rainy day ducks]

Chris Ashton has two duck books but the one with the photo is in Keeping Ducks and Geese.