Telling ducks apart.

[jdywntr]

Can I ask why you need to tell them apart? Are you only keeping certain ones? Mine started looking different as their feathers came in. I actually was not going to keep all of the ducklings I ordered and had 5 sexed 5 straight run. After a few losses, I decided to keep all for a while. The sexed came banded and removing those was a chore but as soon as feathers started coming in it was easy.

 

[AnaD]

Quote:
I'd like to be able to tell them apart so I can get to know them better as individuals rather than just as on of the three ducklings.
I got them from TSC and they are all looking khaki campbell brown.

 

[tinychicky]

you can paint their toenails with different colors of nail polish.

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
I've been wondering about that, are any kinds toxic to them??? Wouldn't we worry about them eating it???

 

[AmberH]

I used to paint their toe nails to tell them apart.

 

[HamandLily]

I'd recommend using cable ties loosely on on leg

 

[tinychicky]

Quote:
I've been wondering about that, are any kinds toxic to them??? Wouldn't we worry about them eating it???

my chickens never did. just use the stuff that doesn't chip off the next day and it should be fine. i once painted my black silkie rooster's toenails and spurs electric blue he looked pretty cool and it lasted a long time

 

[shelleyd2008]

You can go the easier, more permanent route as well and get a toe punch.

 

[tomingreeneco]

Probably will not need anything. As you get to "know" them you will be able to tell them apart. I have 5 pekin that all look the same? The drake (Mr. Drake) is larger with the drake feather. The one (Miss Groucho) duck turns her head a little when it quacks. One (miss piggy) always has dirty feathers. One (Zsa Zsa) is always louder then the others. And "baby" is a little smaller then the others. See, its easy to tell them apart. LOL

 

[nutelladuck]

Ok. So I have three little ducklings and food coloring works great! They can't tell (obviously) and its edible! I mean they don't eat it but if they itch themselves it won't hurt them if they lick a little. If you just pick one up and drop one or two drops on him/her and rub it a little (so it dosnt just come off and it rlly gets on it) it stays on for a while. My ducklings don't have feathers yet so they can't swim so there's rlly no way it can rub off but the few times when they get " in" their water bowl it stays on pretty well. One of our ducklings is littler than the others so we can tell her apart but the other two are almost identical. We use food coloring and it helps so much. I love putting a drop or two on their tail feathers because its soooooo cute! Ahah GOOD LUCK hope this helps