Ducks

[Estelle]

Hi there I just got 3 baby ducks...suppoesedly peking mallard crosses...few questions...how old are they when they start getting feathers? Anyway to sex them? Any special care tips I should know? Found a great site on line about ducks, but thought maybe some of you would have some tips too...also looking for 3 unisex names...thanks folks!

[macassie]

I don't have the technical info you are looking for, but how about Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo for names? I just thought of the Marx Bros. movie "Duck Soup".

You'll have to post some pics! I love ducks! When I was a kid, we had mallards on our pond. Lovely creatures.

[dogmom3]

:) Hi Estelle. I bet those little ones are cute. I've never seen a Pekin/Mallard cross. We have both breeds at the Childrens Farm where I volunteer. Its hard to determine sex until they fully get their adult feathers. The males will have like a spit curl in their tail and the females tail will be just plain. Miss Kay from the farm can tell by their quack. The males quack is deeper and the females is a little higher in pitch. To me telling by the tail is easier. They should probably start getting their feathers in about a month. They start coming in slowly but it seems the more feathers they get the faster they come in. I wonder if they'll be able to fly? I know the Mallards can but I don't think Pekins can. Their bodies are too heavy. As far as names maybe Red, White, and Blue. Keep us posted.

[Squawksx3]

Ducks!.. how fun!. Im not that familiar with them as pets, but aren't the male species more beautiful and colorful than the females?. Good luck and keep us posted on how they're doing and names you decide on.

[Estelle]

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome and help! Really appreciated...They are doing good!

Dogmom...so they will start getting feathers at a month old? I was wondering about the flying thing myself...I have only ever had one other duck and that was eons ago when I was probably 11..it was a peking..cute little bugger. What color are pekings fuzz? How about mallards, what color is there fuzz? These are dark gray and one is dark gray and yellow...I was wondering what color thier feathers will be, any idea?
Thanks for the sexing tip too!

SQuawksx3, my best friend has several differnt types of parrots! She loves birds, well like me all animals actually *L* she also has rabbits, dogs, cats, a ferret, and a horse..oh yeah, cant forget her turtle! I have 2 horses, arab crosses, 2 dogs a shepard and a sheltie, both rescues, and 2 cats, the old one Im going to have to put to sleep soon : o ( and now 3 ducks! Im not sure, but I know with most birds the male is more colorful and prettier so I assume that the ducks will be the same?

MaCassie, cute idea, thanks! I'll try to figure out how to post pics here...I only have one at the moment and not that great as they are in a cage in the house, with a light on them so I just took it while they were inside.

[dogmom3]

The dark gray fuzz is confusing me. Most mallards I've seen are a mix of yellow and dark brown almost black down. The males adult feathers are a greyish brown with a green shiny head. The females are just kind of a mottled grey brown. Also I wonder if there is a difference between a peking and a pekin. The pekins are all yellow down which comes in as white adult feathers. No matter what they are they sound adorable & I'd love to see pics of & hear more about them as they grow.

[Estelle]

Morning dogmom3
How do you post pictures here? I dont see the icon to click to put the addy in, I see the one for the hyper link, but not one for pictures...

Well the yellow and gray is sorta more yellow and blackish and smaller then the other 2. Im not even sure this came from the same parents...they were given to me by a friend and she was told they are a mallard/pekin/g? cross. Any idea what ducks are covered in dark gray fuzz?

The dark gray fuzz is confusing me. Most mallards I've seen are a mix of yellow and dark brown almost black down. The males adult feathers are a greyish brown with a green shiny head. The females are just kind of a mottled grey brown. Also I wonder if there is a difference between a peking and a pekin. The pekins are all yellow down which comes in as white adult feathers. No matter what they are they sound adorable & I'd love to see pics of & hear more about them as they grow.

[dogmom3]

Hi Estelle. I have no idea how to post pics. I'm having enough trouble getting the hang of the computer. I'll have to check with Mrs. Kay at the farm. She runs our Jr. Farmer program & knows alot about ducks. She's on vacation this week,but she should be back Monday. I'll ask her what she thinks. Although the coloring almost sounds like a goose. Dogmom3 (Sheila)

[Squawksx3]

Estelle~ when you post a reply, you'll see "Manage Attachments" below where you type. The pic can only be a certain size for it to accept... click on the "Manage Attachment" and browse your computer files for the pic.. click on the pic and it will put the info in the attachment window, then submit(you may need to resize your pic if its to big).
You can only post pics from a host site in the "Pic" section of the board. It will have an "image" link next to the "hyperlink". I hope this helps... we would love to see pics of your babies :) .

[Estelle]

Ok trying pics
Here is one of all 3 if works

[Estelle]

If this works here is a picture of the first duck...

[Estelle]

Well for some reason I can only get that one picture to come up..sorry bout that and thanks so much for your help Squawks!!!

[Estelle]

Thanks for checking for me Dogmom! Really appreciate it, I thought goose too, isnt that funny...so they will be about a month old when they get feathers?

Hi Estelle. I have no idea how to post pics. I'm having enough trouble getting the hang of the computer. I'll have to check with Mrs. Kay at the farm. She runs our Jr. Farmer program & knows alot about ducks. She's on vacation this week,but she should be back Monday. I'll ask her what she thinks. Although the coloring almost sounds like a goose. Dogmom3 (Sheila)

[Squawksx3]

How cute are they!!. I love their color and they have the duck face.

You're very welcome ;) . It will only let you attach one pic per post, did you try attaching another on a new post?.

[dogmom3]

I showed the picture of your ducks to Ms. Kay and she said they are either Khaki Campbells or Splits. She thought more than likely Khaki Campbells. They are a domestic duck so they won't be able to fly only flap & flutter. They are just adorable. :D