When should I put a safety hole in a call duck egg?

[Painted Calls]

@Overo Mare Do the ducklings kinda grow into their bill? I dont really care if they do or not, but I did plan to show 1-2 of them, I dont really care if I win, I just want to get started in showing call ducks so its not a big deal if they are pet/breeder quality, but ive noticed their bills have gotten larger proportionate to their head from when they were just hatched.

I put a picture of the white call duckling, and one of the snowy call ducklings, I put the picture of the snowy to show how the white call ducklings bill has gotten larger from when he/she was just a few days old. They are adorable no matter what and it wont change my opinion, although it would be nice to know if I could expect for any of them to be a bit more on the breeder/show quality side, although im perfectly happy with pet quality

They do all go through an awkward disproportionate stage. That's why good breeders typically only sell adults as exhibition quality - you can't really tell what you've got until they are more mature and leveled out in growth.

You can get both pet and breeder quality from Exhibition quality ducks as well. Only time will tell. So yes - this funky big bill thing will pass. Then you'll know what you've got!

 

[Cheems]

They do all go through an awkward disproportionate stage. That's why good breeders typically only sell adults as exhibition quality - you can't really tell what you've got until they are more mature and leveled out in growth.

You can get both pet and breeder quality from Exhibition quality ducks as well. Only time will tell. So yes - this funky big bill thing will pass. Then you'll know what you've got!

Thank you!

 

[Cheems]

They make me so sad, every time I walk away from them they cry so loudly

 

[Painted Calls]

They make me so sad, every time I walk away from them they cry so loudly

They love you!

 

[Cheems]

They love you!

Although they certainly dont love strawberries! That is scary stuff. VERY terrifying aparently Except for Ocho, which is the silver one. I named him/her ocho because thats 8 in spanish, and I labeled that egg number 8, the name might change if its a girl though

 

[WVduckchick]

They do all go through an awkward disproportionate stage. That's why good breeders typically only sell adults as exhibition quality - you can't really tell what you've got until they are more mature and leveled out in growth.

You can get both pet and breeder quality from Exhibition quality ducks as well. Only time will tell. So yes - this funky big bill thing will pass. Then you'll know what you've got!

I agree with this.

I’d also add that it’s not scientific, but I seem to have observed the bigger, more angled-down looking bills at that stage seem to be drakes and the smaller ones seem to be girls. I bet the white is male and the snowy is female. Let’s see if this holds as they grow out.
I was wrong about one of my loner girls though. I suspected her to be male for several weeks before she proved me wrong.

 

[Painted Calls]

I agree with this.

I’d also add that it’s not scientific, but I seem to have observed the bigger, more angled-down looking bills at that stage seem to be drakes and the smaller ones seem to be girls. I bet the white is male and the snowy is female. Let’s see if this holds as they grow out.
I was wrong about one of my loner girls though. I suspected her to be male for several weeks before she proved me wrong.

Interesting! I'll have to look back through my awkward teen pics to see if I see the difference.

 

[WVduckchick]

Interesting! I'll have to look back through my awkward teen pics to see if I see the difference.

Please do! I’ve tried but I have so many that look alike, it’s often hard to tie back to baby pics.

 

[Cheems]

I agree with this.

I’d also add that it’s not scientific, but I seem to have observed the bigger, more angled-down looking bills at that stage seem to be drakes and the smaller ones seem to be girls. I bet the white is male and the snowy is female. Let’s see if this holds as they grow out.
I was wrong about one of my loner girls though. I suspected her to be male for several weeks before she proved me wrong.

I will let you guys know when they grow up to see if thats correct, and ill make my predictions

 

[Cheems]

I bet the white is male and the snowy is female.

I am glad ive been calling the white call duck Carl!