Sexing Cayuga Ducklings

[hendrix25]

I am going to pick up my first pair of ducklings tonight. (Cayuga ducklings) The breeder said that she has NOT mastered the art of sexing them yet, so she's not sure which sex I will be getting. Any ideas or thoughts on how to tell which is which? I would prefer a male and female but I'll be happy with which ever. I really would like to be able to get a male though.

 

[shelleyd2008]

If you know how to vent sex, that's a major plus

If not, you can sometimes tell, with a fair amount of accuracy, by the size of their legs and necks. The males should have 'thicker' necks and legs than the females, but of course this is not fool-proof. Some say you can tell by the sound of their peeps, females being louder and 'squeekier', but this has never worked for me. The leg thing didn't either actually, but I believe the person had all males, since I got 4 of the 7 ducklings she had and they were all 4 males!

Or you could just have them wait a few weeks and see which ones are quacking, that always works

Good luck!!

 

[hendrix25]

Quote:
Thanks

i am going to try to be patient and listen, and try to observe.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Just be sure to handle a lot of them to find out their 'squeek' factor, and compare the legs of each of them. Like I said, neither of these methods is fooll-proof, one of my pekin babies had tiny legs, and they were all boys! But I would say you have a better chance like that than by just choosing blindly. It would help if they are all the same age too, so I hope they are!

 

[jgyeager]

hi, a web site, Metzer farms has a real good video on sexing ducks.I'm sure u will not have any trouble.

 

[knightie]

Just watching that video doesn't mean you'll have no trouble.... it takes TONS of practice and being shown my someone who is an expert to really get the hang of it... as was posted the breeder hasn't gotten the hang of it yet. I usually learn really well by reading or just watching something be done.... but this takes more than that... and it's sooo easy to hurt them if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[MommaDuck]

John Metzer even said in that video that HE was wrong a lot when he first started doing it. My husband has checked all six of ours and they are all female. LOL. So yeah I am waiting for the time when they ALL have their curled drake feather. That would be our luck to have all males when I only want one male and the rest female.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

They are babies, thick legs and necks or the hanging upside down (with chickens) are old wives tales. Metzers does well with vent sexing, but even they make mistakes at times (and they will correct the mistakes). Humans are just that human and make mistakes when vent sexing, anyone who would hold another 100% accountable for vent sexing is being unrealistic.

Enjoy your new ducklings.