How to tell if muscovies are mixed?

[KatsHerd]

We have a flock of muscovies. We just got given 2 free ducklings yesterday but we're on the fence about them being full? We were told they are about 8-10 weeks, which if they're full muscovies can't be true with size & feathering. I'd put them at 4-6 weeks. We aren't too fussed either way but more so curiosity. I do know mixed muscovies are infertile, so we'd likely only keep the girl for that reason. If anyone can assist in what they think I'd appreciate it! The last photo is them with some of our grown adults & some of our 8 week old babies (8 week olds are the 2 to the left & the one below) to grasp how small they are haha.

 

[sourland]

They may well be pure muscovies that have just been neglected.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

They are not 8 weeks old because they still have down which would put them at the 4-6 week age mark. They look pure to me.

 

[KatsHerd]

They may well be pure muscovies that have just been neglected.

That sucks. They don't give me super mixed vibes aside from just their size & feathering not lining up with the age i was told. Definitely due for some good feed then

 

[KatsHerd]

They are not 8 weeks old because they still have down which would put them at the 4-6 week age mark. They look pure to me.

Thank you! Yes that's what my post says. 8-10 weeks was what I was told, which the 3 other babies in the photo are 8 weeks & almost fully feathered & large haha. I'd definitely agree with 4-6 weeks! pure, would be ideal.

 

[Canadian Wind]

The colouring seems off for pure, imo. Having experienced hybrids myself for the first time this year that's what struck me.

As for size, there could be a discrepancy due to the above two comments, as well as there's a difference between hinnies (mother is scovie) and mules (father is scovie) if they are mixed.

You'll know if they start quacking!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The colouring seems off for pure, imo. Having experienced hybrids myself for the first time this year that's what struck me.

As for size, there could be a discrepancy due to the above two comments, as well as there's a difference between hinnies (mother is scovie) and mules (father is scovie) if they are mixed.

You'll know if they start quacking!

The one is Buff (silver + chocolate gene) and the other looks to be Tortora (bronze + silver gene) both are colors muscovies can come in just rarer.

 

[Canadian Wind]

The one is Buff (silver + chocolate gene) and the other looks to be Tortora (bronze + silver gene) both are colors muscovies can come in just rarer.

Would love to get the Bronze gene here!
I produced my first Buff this summer.

I should have been clearer, it's the *pattern* as well that was throwing me off. I could be completely off base, I'll be the first to admit that.

 

[KatsHerd]

The colouring seems off for pure, imo. Having experienced hybrids myself for the first time this year that's what struck me.

As for size, there could be a discrepancy due to the above two comments, as well as there's a difference between hinnies (mother is scovie) and mules (father is scovie) if they are mixed.

You'll know if they start quacking!

Yes the colour is definitely different!! Thank you that's very helpful! I'm very curious to see how they mature

 

[ruthhope]

They are not 8 weeks old because they still have down which would put them at the 4-6 week age mark. They look pure to me.

I had rescued muscovy ducklings this year that didn't feather up until 10 weeks. But when they did get their juvenile feathers they were beautiful -- 1 male and 1 female. They were less than a week old when rescued and so I know they were fed appropriately. The female was also ridiculously small for 6-8 weeks and then caught up

They were released onto private property after Hurricane Helene passed by NE Florida and were then out there in the wild for Hurricane Milton passing by. They reappeared after Milton having joined a family group [the family group ducklings were raised in the back yard that I released the 2 newcomers.

From this I deduce, that there is a wide genetic variation, rather than just environmental variation in speed of development. The majority of muscovy are feathered by 6 weeks, but even normal muscovy ducklings can be stragglers!!

The first photo is the day they were released at 14-15weeks old.
The second when they came back, and the third with the family group they came back with.