Sexing almost-five-week-old muscovies

[MS_pond]

Hi, would any of you muscovites like to take a stab at sexing my almost-five-week-old muscovies? There are eight, numbered in this video here. #2 and #4 (Mohawk and Tiny, lol) are smaller, while the rest are about the same size.

Interestingly, the very biggest one (#5) is farthest along in feathering. All over his body except for on the last "digit" of the wings. Is that actually what people are referring to when they say females feather out quicker? Is that just in regards to the wingtips? Because if so then the smallest two--who although are feathered a bit less throughout their bodies are feathered more on the wingtips--standing with legs/feet closer together, are clearly girls, right?

I have my suspicions, but please tell me I'm wrong... please tell me I don't have six boys and two girls...

Thanks for looking!

 

[MS_pond]

Another video. The one you can barely see zooming out at the beginning is one of the almost-certainly girls.

 

[Luv Ducks]

My girl was a lot smaller than my drake and had smaller feet and thinner legs. I could not tell anything by the wings or feathering out other than that. Then she let out the sweet trill that the girls do and he started to hiss. The hiss only came from my male, never any females that I have had. They sure are beautiful!!!

 

[MS_pond]

My girl was a lot smaller than my drake and had smaller feet and thinner legs. I could not tell anything by the wings or feathering out other than that. Then she let out the sweet trill that the girls do and he started to hiss. The hiss only came from my male, never any females that I have had. They sure are beautiful!!!

That is reassuring, thank you. It does seem that most of the "foolproof" sexing tells I'm finding online are not totally reliable. It's been a couple weeks since I made this thread and I'm still pretty sure I have two girls and six boys.

More pics because they are indeed beautiful I will be so sad to let my boys go. If I can't find them a home I will process them myself...

 

[Luv Ducks]

That is reassuring, thank you. It does seem that most of the "foolproof" sexing tells I'm finding online are not totally reliable. It's been a couple weeks since I made this thread and I'm still pretty sure I have two girls and six boys.

More pics because they are indeed beautiful I will be so sad to let my boys go. If I can't find them a home I will process them myself...

You are most welcome and I totally understand about being sad to let your boys go. I have had a lot more drakes hatch out than hens and it is always sad to see them go down the road. I have never had much luck getting all Hens and usually end up with either one of each if I buy in pairs from the feed store or all drakes if I let them hatch out. They are really pretty ducks.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Did you end up with two Hens and the rest Drakes? That's what I thought they looked like by the pictures that I saw. Hopefully you got more hens but the first ones looked like Drakes and the last two looked like Hens to me.

 

[MS_pond]

Did you end up with two Hens and the rest Drakes? That's what I thought they looked like by the pictures that I saw. Hopefully you got more hens but the first ones looked like Drakes and the last two looked like Hens to me.

Yes indeed, six boys and two girls. #2 and #4 from the video are the girls. It was true in this case at least, the "trick" about girls getting feathers faster on their wingtips! That is only evident for a few days. But also evident were their sizes. And their face shapes, especially in hindsight, now that I know what to look for.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Yes indeed, six boys and two girls. #2 and #4 from the video are the girls. It was true in this case at least, the "trick" about girls getting feathers faster on their wingtips! That is only evident for a few days. But also evident were their sizes. And their face shapes, especially in hindsight, now that I know what to look for.

Thanks for the answer, I was just curious and sorry you got so many drakes. That is always my luck too.

 

[MS_pond]

Thanks for the answer, I was just curious and sorry you got so many drakes. That is always my luck too.

I kept this sweet handsome boy, named Mr. T. The other five went to be their own bachelor flock with a friendly fellow I met at a flea market. Probably the best I could do for them. I hope they live long happy lives.