How to distinguish a duck from a drake: methods for determining sex at home

Without certain knowledge, it can be very difficult to determine the sex of a bird. At the same time, waterfowl are no exception. Many species of ducks are characterized by the absence of typical features that help to reliably determine the sex. To understand how you can distinguish a duck from a drake, you should pay attention to certain features. These include external differences, sexual characteristics, behavior, voice.

What a drake looks like

Differences between females and males are significant or minimal. The wild drake has the following visual features:

• large sizes;
• massive beak;
• triangular forehead;
• expressive plumage in bright colors;
• a few feathers in the beard area;
• presence of a small feather tuft on the neck.

Duck appearance

The following visual features are characteristic of wild ducks:

• monotonous plumage - it mostly has dull and muted shades;
• trapezoidal forehead;
• lack of curls on the tail.

Sometimes ducks are bigger than drakes. This is determined by the composition of the feed and some conditions of detention. Therefore, focusing solely on this feature is not recommended.

Main external differences

To distinguish birds by gender, you should focus on the data presented in the table:

WeightDrakes have a large and wide bodyFemales weigh about half as much than malesFeathersThe shade of the plumage is determined by the breed, but it is bright and elegantMuffled and light shades of feathers dominateHeadMales are characterized by a long head, wide forehead triangular shape. In this case, the skin goes behind the eyes. The beak is large and has a rich red hueThe extension from the beak in the forehead has a trapezoid shapeNeck It is quite long and decorated with a bright tuftThere is no beard on the neck TailSeveral feathers curl into a ring - this is noticeable as early as 3 monthsNo tail curls

Parameter	Drake	Duck

Also, it will be possible to determine the sex by the cloaca. To do this, the bird should be placed on a flat surface. It is recommended to do this with your back down. After that, move the skin in the area of the cloaca, lifting it in the direction of the abdomen. Females are characterized by the presence of 2 small balls in this zone.

Sometimes poultry farmers are faced with the task of determining the sex of little ducklings. There are several ways that it is acceptable to use:

1. Take the duckling by its paws and evaluate its behavior if it is turned upside down. If the bird expresses nervousness or concern, we can say that it is a male. He tries to spin and turn his head in different directions. Females behave calmly, maintaining a stationary position.
2. Males of most breeds are characterized by a pugnacious disposition. They often arrange fights. From a very young age, drakes strive to pull out each other's feathers or try to peck at an opponent.
3. Pay attention to anatomical features. Near the larynx of birds there are special marks. In males, in the upper part of the chest there are formations in the form of balls. They are easy to feel.

Some differences depend on the breed. So, the males of the Bashkir breed are characterized by expressive curls that are in the tail area. At the same time, females have even feathers. This feature is clearly visible and helps beginner poultry farmers to determine the sex of birds.

The plumage of Peking birds will not help identify gender. The shade of feathers is the same in females and males. Birds are covered with white feathers, which are located from the beak to the tail.

To assess the gender, it is worth considering the weight of the ducks. The average weight of males is 3.9 kilograms, and that of females is 3.5.

How do you distinguish a female from a male in character?

To determine the sex of birds, you should focus on their character. The drakes let the ducks go ahead. At the same time, they are kept behind and a little on the sidelines. Also, a tendency to conflict will help to recognize males. Drakes are noisy and pugnacious. This behavior helps herd leaders emphasize their dominant position. At the same time, their aggression will be directed at other males.Ducks are not prone to conflict, have a calm nature and do not try to fly away.

It should be borne in mind that such characteristics do not always help determine the sex of birds. If the proportions of females and males in the herd are violated, there is a risk of changing roles.

Sometimes there is a need to determine the sex of day old ducklings. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Take the duckling in your right hand and grab it around the chest.
2. Put the thumb of the left hand to the throat, lifting the neck.
3. With your index finger, feel for the junction of the collarbone and shoulder blades. It has a triangular shape.
4. In the center, there is or is not a round formation that looks like a bubble in shape. Its presence is typical for males. If there is no bubble, then it is a female.

Gender determination by voice

To determine gender at home, you should focus on the voice. From a duck, it is much more possible to hear any sounds. The usual quacking is the voice of a duck. At the same time, drakes hiss when disturbed.

Sometimes there are other types of voice accompaniment in the flock. These include:

• whistle;
• cackle;
• overflows.

If the flock is alarmed, it will be easy to distinguish the sounds that males make in it. Drakes have a louder voice compared to females. But, in general, they are considered more silent and do not tend to use their voice to communicate. Females, on the other hand, are forced to constantly make sounds - they are considered part of the maternal instinct and attract the attention of ducklings.

To distinguish a drake from a duck, it is worth considering a number of key features. First of all, it is recommended to focus on the appearance of individuals. It is also important to take into account the voice, behavior, sexual characteristics.

Recommended