Will one drake and one duck work out OK?

[kiwichiks]

You're right that the full adult plumage won't come in till about 2 years but you can generally tell by the teenage patterns what you have. It's not odd that she hasn't started quacking at this age. I had one that didn't quack till about 8 weeks. It's also common for young hens to have orange legs that darken as they get older. Drakes have yellow bills not black ones and I'm not seeing any green on the head. I'm still going to say Daisy is female.

I'd love to see what Daisy looks like after the first molt and with adult plumage. Daisy is already a beautiful duck.

Oh thank you, you've made my day!!

Yes, she definitely has orange legs and no sign of green on her head at all! Fingers crossed that you're right - I'll let you know how things progress. And I'll post some updated pics after her first molt (yes, she is pretty gorgeous isn't she!). Thanks again for your help.

 

[kiwichiks]

UPDATE:

Hurrah, Daisy is a girl after all! @lomine you were right! It was as if Daisy knew the debate was going on, or perhaps she heard my husband's joking threats to start calling her 'David' - but the very next day after my post she started quacking. She gave us the pleasure of about 12 quacks over the next 2 days to confirm that she is, in fact, female and has now gone back to peeping or saying nothing - allowing Arlo to do all the quacking for both of them (which she does with great gusto!).

Thought I'd also post this video of Arlo and Daisy that my son put together when they were about 5 weeks' old:

 

[lomine]

That's awesome. Guess she decided to end the argument once and for all.

Cute video. I love the under water footage. Those feet!

And the waddling. I love watching ducks waddle around.

 

[2duckmom]

Love the video! Congrats on your ducks!

 

[Pagoda88]

Wow, what a gorgeous story - brought a lump to my throat! Thanks so much for the advice - I really appreciate it. I'll wait and see what happens...

I have one make and one female too. I wanted them to forage so I let them out with chicken hens and the drake chases the chickens and try to mate with them since I have caged the ducks. I did not know there’s a mating season. When can I let them out again? Nothing more pleasurable than free ranging them all.

 

[lomine]

I have one make and one female too. I wanted them to forage so I let them out with chicken hens and the drake chases the chickens and try to mate with them since I have caged the ducks. I did not know there’s a mating season. When can I let them out again? Nothing more pleasurable than free ranging them all.

From mine experience, mating season goes from mid-February to about September. But it will probably be a bit different for certain breeds.