Our ducklings we hatched have fooled us!

The ducklings we hatch which we sexed at 9 weeks as 4 females and 1 drake, turns out to be 5 drakes! I started to notice that the 4 “hens” head started to get darker and look more like Louie (the father). Also I noticed that one of the “hens” started to get a curled tail feather. That was it. I knew it was over. They all look too similar and that first curled tail feather said it all.

As the next couple of weeks went I one by one gained a raspy quack and a curled tail feather. Funny thing is that the mother duck still sticks around them and follows them everywhere. Of course the “wild duckling” is just the cutest thing. He looks like a mallard but the size of a jumbo pekin.

Our Plans for the new Drakes

We had initially stated that we would sell the drakes if we had more than one. But like all the other animals we have fallen in love watching these not so little anymore guys waddle around. They have curious personality and love to say hi but run away.

This little one to your right I have been trying to come up with a good name. He will stay with the flock if we decide to sell off the others. He is just too neat looking to give away.

The ducklings we hatched are a extremely bonded. They stay in their group no matter what. They have each others back. Once goes “Oh NO!” because they did not realize we are in the pen they all will run away. I try to pet them every night when feeding them. But I still have not been able to get them. I can get all the other ducks but these guys are more agile.

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