Penciled Runners - Penciling means Duck not Drake?

[kristen2678]

Getting ready to attempt voice sexing on my 5 week old penciled runners. It was mentioned to me that the girls will have penciling and light bills while the boys will have solid feathers, dark caps, and dark bills. I do see plumage difference even though they are still a tiny bit fluffy. Is this reliable in Holderreads line?

Sorry for all my newbie questions. This is my first time with ducks and geese.

Thanks

 

[Mike Winters]

penciled is the type color of the breed. like black or brown bear .

 

[kristen2678]

Sorry. I wasn't clear. I have all penciled runners but some with a more "penciled" appearance than others. I've read that females have greater penciling to their feathers than drakes. I was wondering if this is true. If so, by what age is it clear? Without vent sexing I'm trying to get an idea of what I have for numbers. Finding homes for the extra boys sooner rather than later is preferred. I'll attempt sexing by voice next week.

 

[Amiga]

I don't know about the pencilled runners, I have chocolates and blacks. They started their voice change at around 3 weeks. Good to plan ahead.

 

[Jen C]

On penciled Runners both males and females will look about the same when they first feather out. The males will start changing color around 3 months old. I can usually sex my birds by voice at 4-5 weeks old.