EronicaV
Chirping
- Sep 22, 2020
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Everything you said is correct. I couldn’t tell my khaki Campbell’s gender for a long time. Once they get feathered, it first looks like female markings until they gradually get the dark brown/green head and the male markings end a curl on the back of the tail. You’re right that Gender ratios are so important and so is the number of ducks as well.I have been looking into getting ducks so I might not be the best resource but from what I understand when young its next to impossible to sex them.
As adults males have one or more feathers on top of their tail that curl. If you have a male the best ratio seems to be 1 male to 5 females to prevent the male from constantly harassing only one or two females. If its a female at least a trio but more the better.
I am totally new to ducks and this is what I have found in my research. I haven't gotten any yet. Hopefully someone with more duck experience will set me straight if this is incorrect.
To anyone else in the world who is thinking about owning ducks:
Having one duck is cruel to them socially, having 2 ducks is bare minimum humane, and 3 or more is best.
Honestly, I would always aim for at least 5 or 6 ducks in your flock. I’ve seen my flock having 3, 2, and 6 members.
When they’ve got several other ducks you can tell they’re much happier. Having a complex social group is what ducks would have naturally and I wouldn’t take that away from them. Especially raising a duckling alone is traumatic.
Human interaction cannot be a replacement for duck interaction!