We think Thelma is a drake !

[Beryl]

This morning whilst Louise was laying down Thelma tried to get on top of her ! We are assuming now Thelma is a drake. Having only the 2 ducks will they be ok just the 2 of them ? They live happily with 3 docile hens. Any advice welcome. Beryl

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Does Thelma have drake feathers (the curled feathers on her back at the base of her tail)? Does her voice sound the same as Louises's? Drakes will have drake feathers and a distinctive raspy sounding voice. If Thelma does not then she is a hen (a dominant one at that!).

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have a few Runners reaching maturity- Drakes that will mount drakes- and also ducks trying it on with other ducks. Hope you do have a pair- but sexing by the tail feather an voice is a surer way to tell gender.

 

[Amiga]

Beryl,

Just want to reiterate what has been written

same-sex mounting happens (the ducks never personally explained to me why they do this - humans have told me it is about social dominance

)
Thelma may be a drake - listen to his or her voice, watch for the drake feather, which sometimes takes several weeks to show up once they reach full size
Just in case - if you have one of each, Louise may be at risk if Thelma is one of those drakes who does better with three or more females

 

[Beryl]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I will over the next couple of days observe their noises and look at the tail. They are 6 months old so would the tail have the curl yet ? They are quiet nervous around us humans at the moment so I will do things slowly. I am so grateful to all the help that is given out on this forum and only hope I can help someone myself one day. Beryl

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Yes, you should be able to see the drake feathers by six months

 

[chooniecat]

from my little experience I can tell by their voice-drakes quack somewhat quietly and females tend to honk/quack.by appx. 3 months. pekins anyhooo....

 

[lovesduckies]

Quote:
i don't see what was wrong with the way you explained it.

hmm.. but anyway. i understood what you said.

Beryl, what breed are they?

 

[Beryl]

Well I was told they were campbells . One is a dark khaki I think and the other one he said was a "honey" campbell but after looking on different web sites I think she may be an " apricot campbell". I will take a couple more pics later and post them on here. No drake feathers I can see. They were from a reputable source and he has lots of rare breeds ducks too and they are really happy and in good condition which I am pleased about. Beryl

 

[yotetrapper]

I just want to add that I always heard the tail feather sexing was the way to go, so I assumed my duck with absolutely no curl was a hen, but "she" most certainly is NOT, lol.

I feel the only sure fire way to tell is voice sexing. The hens make a quack, quack noise, while the drakes have a raspier wah-wah wah-wah noise.