Sexing Ducks At 17 Weeks???? Making Me Nuttier Than Usual! Please?

[ranchhand]

Hello duck nuts!

I have 3 Mallards and 1 Khaki Campbell. All are 17 weeks. I am going a bit crazier than usual because I can't tell who is what. Every time I get within earshot and can SEE them.... they all shut up. I have tried spying with binoculars, sending DH out while I quack from the porch, sitting out by them for hours..... all to no avail.

I haven't had any ducks for 20 years or more, anyone want to take a guess, please?

Thanks for any ideas/suggestions!

Forgot to say, no curly tail feathers evident yet.

 

[AdamD77]

Hmm, I'd say all girls as none of them look like they're going green, but you never know...

 

[katharinad]

Best is to corner them and pick them up one at a time. Trust me they will scream and you will hear a raspy hissing sound from the boys, while the girls will produce a very loud rack-rack-rack quack.

Oh forgot at that age all the boys should have a curly feather at their rear.

 

[ranchhand]

Hmmm.... cornering them will be tough, I don't walk, much less lunge real well! I have already had close contact with duck mud - could be the next secret anti-aging cream! Since I live in Hollywood, SC, I could say it's the latest beauty secret from Hollywood!

If they are all girls, it will be a miracle - I have a real talent for hatching and/or picking out roos! It'll ruin my reputation,

I am sure on the age and lack of curled tail feathers though. Wow, it would be wonderful to have all hens!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Highlander]

All girls?

That's so out of character for you!

Remember I get royalties on the beauty products!

 

[DuckLady]

They all look like mallards. I don't see a Khaki Campbell in the bunch.
Based on bill coloring I would say all girls.

They should be quacking loud and clear by now.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Terrie,

Bill color? Will you elaborate please? I have three that I am trying to sex. One is quite a little bully.
Thanks,


Kim

 

[DuckLady]

Mallard drakes tend to have green bills.
Mallard ducks tend to have mottled yellow and greenish brown bills.

Looking again at the pics, I see the Khaki and it might be a drake because of the darker brown head, though it also looks like a mix.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
ACK! QUACK! That's the only one who quacks like crazy.... I think. A mix of what do you think? They all came from Mt. Healthy via TSC.

If they are all females, I will be astounded!

ETA, once I saw the Khaki/whoever quack like crazy. Only once. The others are very quiet, that's one reason I am so confused!

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

No longer a Roo magnate

well I suppose you don't have drakes....it may not be the same for roos!