Dale
Guest
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 Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2003 11:51 pm Post subject: Sexing Buff Orpington Ducks |
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Greetings all,
We are running into some trouble sexing our adolescent Buff Orpington Ducks.
We know that drakes are supposed to develop darker heads, but we see no
evidence of any distinction yet. Also, almost all of the ducks have neck
rings and some white chest patches, a trait we understood was supposed to be
absent in Buff Orpingtons. These are from 3 separate breeders. Otherwise,
these are just 50+, hungry, noisy, rambunctious buff-colored ducks.
Will the differences in the sexes become apparent at a molt? The weights
range from 3 to 5 pounds with no health issues, and every possible duck
amenity and duck luxury available afforded to this pampered flock. |
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Krys Francis
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2003 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Sexing Buff Orpington Ducks |
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In message <G_eUa.5814$Ad4.2743727@news3.news.adelphia.net>, Dale
<dalewspamfilter@lazerlink.com> writes
[quote]
Greetings all,
We are running into some trouble sexing our adolescent Buff Orpington Ducks.
We know that drakes are supposed to develop darker heads, but we see no
evidence of any distinction yet. Also, almost all of the ducks have neck
rings and some white chest patches, a trait we understood was supposed to be
absent in Buff Orpingtons. These are from 3 separate breeders. Otherwise,
these are just 50+, hungry, noisy, rambunctious buff-colored ducks.
Will the differences in the sexes become apparent at a molt? The weights
range from 3 to 5 pounds with no health issues, and every possible duck
amenity and duck luxury available afforded to this pampered flock.
[/quote]
The ducks will make a real QUACK sound whereas drakes will make a rasp
sound. The ducks start quacking earlier than the drakes voice matures so
with youngsters the males will be making a peep noise when the females
are already quacking.
Failing that you can turn them upside down & open up the vent the
presence or lack of appendage will make sex apparent:-) Also female vent
generally looser & less firm.
Sometimes the drake will have a curl at the top of his tail but in a
large group this sometimes gets pulled out so this not really reliable,
if it has a curl then it is a drake but if it hasn>t it isn>t
necessarily a duck:-)
First plumage will resemble ducks plumage for both sexes adult plumage
later this year will show sexual differences. Haven>t bred Buff
Orpingtons, correctly coloured buff orpingtons don>t breed true due to
Bl/bl genes.
There used to be bibbed varieties of orpington perhaps this is why some
of your birds appear to have bibs or maybe this is a juvenile thing
which will disappear, though somehow I doubt it, I presume that we>re
talking feathers here & not down. I>d be interested to hear whether the
bib stays or goes when they get adult plumage, please will you let me
know?
[quote]
[/quote]
--
Regards
Krys
www.lluestfarmpoultry.co.uk |
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