What kind of ducks do I have??

[chicksnchooks]

Hello everyone!

Would you mind taking a look at my little ducklings and letting me know what you think the breed and sex might be? I got them at Orscheln's and all they could tell me was they are hatchery choice.

Nettie from BYC (a.ka. Private Eye Nettie) after receiving a picture I sent her of the ducklings was able to guess they may be Welsh Harlequins and I was wondering what you guys think? I called Orscheln's and they told me the ducklings were born April 13th.

I know gender is going to be very difficult until it's obvious, but I sexed vented them following the instructions posted by another BYC member and that little cone shaped tip popped out, so I'm guessing I have two boys because both had the same thing...is that how it works??

I've enclosed a picture to see if you guys can help me narrow down their breed and hopefully gender. Thanks for reading

 

[veronicasmom]

I know, you have cute ducks!!!!

 

[bock]

Those are definatly welsh harlequins. Very cute!

 

[chicksnchooks]

Thank you!! They are cute....I'm resisting the temptation to give them a big bear hug....but I sure love to hold them...and they're so cute, they just sort of lay there cooing softly...okay, I know pigeons coo...but I don't know the word for that soft talk they do....

 

[chicksnchooks]

Does anyone know why one duckling has a dark bill and the other duckling a light bill with a spot at the tip?? I was just curious seeing as they hatched the same day....

 

[Highland Moongazer]

From Metzer Farms' site... :

"Interestingly, they can be sexed after hatching with 90% accuracy by their bill color. Darker bills mean a male and lighter bills ending in a dark spot are normally females."

 

[maralynn28]

Here are my pair of WH's and they do look awfully similar...though I can't tell ducky breed by colors.

Mine are supposed to be both girls but not sure as one is actually a bit darker than the other, hope someone can confirm that they are both girls or I will need to rehome. Yours has a definite dark bill though so if they are WH's I would bet it is a drake.

 

[chicksnchooks]

They are absolutely adorable!!!! and you're right, they do look similar to my babies...is that how tiny they were?? yours must be just a few days old...When I got mine, they had been at Orschlen's a week already...they were the last two and though my husband tried to shield them from my view, I heard them calling me from clear across the store...I just had to have them!!

I hope I have a drake and a duck...

Do the duck bills change colors again or is the color here to stay??

 

[maralynn28]

Yes, I special ordered them and they are only 5 days old today.

The pic was taken at 3-4 days old? They grow so fast, I can't believe how big they will be in just a couple weeks. I think bill colors do change gradually with age.

 

[MagsC]

They do look like my WH? Of course mine is crossed with Pekin.