[darrena]

Hi,
I have 2 welsh harliquin ducklings that are now about 24 days old.
They are starting to feather up on their tails and just above their wings and beginning to loose their fluffy fur.
I was wondering how soon I would be able to tell if they are females or not, they were vent sexed at 5 days but I understand that this is not infallible.
What should I look out for?

[Kate and her Ducks]

The first thing you will be able to notice is quack as they are different. Girls have the classic quack, boys have a quieter, hoarser quack but much easier if you know what you are listening for and have one of each to compare. Generally said to start quacking as opposed to the duckling peeping at about 8 week but mine started at 3 weeks this year!

Have a listen here:

http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/artquacks.htm

The next thing is the appearence of sex curls in the drakes with their moult into their nuptial plummage at about 16 weeks. This is the curly tail feather by their bums. With Welsh Harlequins the boys have really different colouring a bit like a washed out mallard drake.

[darrena]

Thanks Kate,

So you are saying that at best I will know at 4-8 weeks if not it will be 16 weeks.
How long does it take for them to fully feather? The feathers that are gowing now are a browny colour but I believe the ducks and drakes have brown areas so assume this is no help!

[Kate and her Ducks]

When ducks first develope feathers from their down (jeuvinile plummage) all ducklings are coloured as the female as these are the muted, subtle, camoflaged ones. They then moult between 16 and 20 weeks (although mine seem a little ahead of themselves and started at 13 weeks) into their nuptial plummage. Generally the males have the flamboyant colouring in those with mallard related colouring.. The males also tend to moult into an eclipse plummage in autumn which is more like the girls again (no longer trying to show off and find a mate, don't want to get eaten).