Does beak color mean anything?

[lovesgliders]

My Mallards are five weeks and some change... is it too early to tell their sexes?

I ordered a male and a female because I knew these were to be pets and I only wanted a pair, but the hatchery threw in an extra. I didn't think this was a big deal until I found out that two males + one female = not a good situation. I don't want to give up one of my spoiled, precious babies

so I am hoping against hope that I have two females + one male.

Anyway, I haven't heard any differences in voices yet, but I have noticed that one of the duckies has an orangey beak while the other two ducks' beaks are more dark/brown. Does this mean anything?


My Innocent Little Angels by Just In Luv, on Flickr
(orange beak in the front)


Poopy Ducks! by Just In Luv, on Flickr
(orange beak on the right)

 

[anaiyuk]

I'm not sure about mallards but some breeds do have darker bills as far as females are concerned!

 

[MrCluckers]

In mallards, a green tint to the beak denotes male. In the second picture, I am going to have to say that the duck on the left is a boy, and the one on the right is a girl. However, I can't really get a good look at the beak of the one in the middle.

 

[bemba]

At this age you can definately tell the sex by voice, separate one at a time from the other two and listen to its calls, girls voice will be deeper and louder and boys softer

 

[lovesgliders]

Quote:
I don't know... I think they might still be too young for that? They still all sound like tiny ducklings 99% of the time (that high pitched chirping/whistling). I have heard some half-hearted quacking but when one got separated from the other two last night during playtime in the yard, all it did was run in circles frantically going CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP just like a chick. LOL

 

[destinduck]

LIke bemba said. You should be able to tell by now and orange beaks are mostly females. But also know that sometimes you can keep them all together (two boys and a girl together)anyway. It depends on alot of factors, enjoy them all together until there is a problem. There is always a pecking order on ducks and as long as nobodys taking serious damage lots of times they will sort it out for themselves. Especially when they grow up together.

 

[bemba]

Quote:
I don't know... I think they might still be too young for that? They still all sound like tiny ducklings 99% of the time (that high pitched chirping/whistling). I have heard some half-hearted quacking but when one got separated from the other two last night during playtime in the yard, all it did was run in circles frantically going CHEEP CHEEP CHEEP just like a chick. LOL

Well the one who got seperated I would say is a boy then, my girls voices start to break earlier than that, but I suppose depends on how experienced you are at picking it..... Anyway they really are very nice healthy ducks!!