Properly organized care for poultry is the key to a healthy flock. Breeders know that caring for male and female Muscovy ducks differs significantly. But even experienced owners cannot always give a clear answer to the question of how to distinguish a drake from an Indian duck. Let us understand the intricacies of the dissimilarity of birds brought to the territory of Russia relatively recently - only 40 years ago.
Obvious differences between adult females and males
The first difference that catches your eye is the color of the plumage. In females it is much dimmer than in representatives of the stronger sex.Drakes have brighter colors and a massive head with a tuft.
Signs that will help distinguish an Indian duck from a drake:
| Differences | Male | Female |
| Tail | Spun up | Absolutely smooth |
| Plumage | By 3 months of age, feathers and down are fully formed. | Feather cover develops gradually |
| Beak | Massive, triangle shaped. A rough hump forms above the beak | Soft pink skin above the beak |
| Weight of an adult domesticated individual, kg | 4,6-6,8 | 2,7-3,6 |
| Torso | Powerful, with strong massive legs | Narrow |
It is very difficult for a beginner to determine the gender of Muscovy ducks. In addition to the above points, birds are distinguished by their behavior. The ideal bird ratio is 4:1. If the proportion is not respected, the females in the herd will behave like the males, or vice versa.
How to determine the sex of Indian ducklings
From the first days after birth, it is very difficult to determine the sex of the young. 4 ways to divide the young herd into “girls” and “boys”:
- By behavior. The most pugnacious and cocky duckling is the dominant male in the future. After watching him, the owner will see who he does not allow near the feeder, towards whom he is showing aggression - these are competitors.
- By external signs. Boy chicks have larger heads than girls. As the young grow, it will become increasingly easier to distinguish a duck from a drake. The plumage of future males is several shades darker.
- According to gender characteristics. Makes it possible to determine the sex of a duckling one day after hatching. The chick is placed on the palm with its head facing towards itself. Gently stretch the skin around the cloaca. If you get a boy, a rudimentary penis will appear, the size of which is 1.5-2 mm, and the girl will have spherical growths.
- By voice.This method allows you to distinguish a musk duck already at the age of a month - it quacks, while the drake makes hissing sounds with a whistle. This feature is explained by the presence of a sac-like expansion in the fork of the trachea in “guys”.
The weight of representatives of the stronger sex in adulthood is 2 times the weight of females. The male has a more powerful neck curve and a massive body. In addition, boys have strong immunity and are vaccinated less often than ducks.
Other nuances and interesting surprises
Poultry farmers who have been breeding ducks for several years share secrets and tricks for determining sex: if a threat arises, the duck will run away and hide, and the drake, on the contrary, will rush into battle. To intimidate the opponent, he will raise his crest. Representatives of the stronger sex let girls go ahead and stay behind.
During the period of preparation for breeding, ducks prepare for the appearance of offspring: they choose and arrange nests. Therefore, if you observe them for some time, it immediately becomes noticeable which sex the individual belongs to.
