Muscovy

[WallingFarm]

I was wondering if anyone knew if this 7 week old Muscovy is a drake or not? I've read there is a way you can tell by their bills but I'm no good at it. Thanks in advance!

 

[BlueChai]

That looks like a little girl to me, but I'm no expert! I'm very new to muscovys, so hopefully someone with more experience can help.

 

[WallingFarm]

I am very new to this as well. This was my first batch of eggs to hatch . I had one other lady tell me a female as well. I hope y'all are right because she is beautiful and can only keep it if it's a girl.

 

[Gray Farms]

At 7 weeks the boys will be larger than their sisters. If you look at the whole group together you should see some that are noticeably bigger than some of the others. These are the boys. Another couple weeks and the boys will be very obviously larger than the girls.

It really none of my business lol. But why can't you keep any males?

 

[WallingFarm]

I'm starting to think they are all the same sex lol.
I guess I could keep it if it was a drake but I only have 4 females and I've read to keep the male to female ratio 1:4

This next batch I will be vent checking right after they hatch.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

With muscovy you can have 1 drake to 3 females. It will work fine.
I think at this age, the best thing to do would be to compare it to the siblings as stated. Drakes have thicker legs even as ducklings.
These are my ducklings at 6 weeks. You can see the difference for sure.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would only suggest vent sexing if someone with experience does it. If done incorrectly, it can harm the duckling.

 

[BlueChai]

I would only suggest vent sexing if someone with experience does it. If done incorrectly, it can harm the duckling.

Yea vent sexing is the easiest way to find out, but it's difficult. My significant other is really good at it, but I'm horrible. You could try, but be careful not to pull to hard on them because it can hurt.

 

[WallingFarm]

With muscovy you can have 1 drake to 3 females. It will work fine.
I think at this age, the best thing to do would be to compare it to the siblings as stated. Drakes have thicker legs even as ducklings.
These are my ducklings at 6 weeks. You can see the difference for sure. View attachment 1398977

I guess I should have added I already have an adult drake. I am going to try to get a picture of all of them in one picture. They are all similar in size. I honestly an starting to believe they are all the same sex, just not sure which one lol.

 

[WallingFarm]

Yea vent sexing is the easiest way to find out, but it's difficult. My significant other is really good at it, but I'm horrible. You could try, but be careful not to pull to hard on them because it can hurt.

I have looked into it a lot and have watch and will continue to watch a ton of videos and read up on it before I do so. The only way someone can become experienced is with practice. I have read all the "what not to do's" I have a friend who is experienced and said she would help me and walk me through it.