Sexing Indian Runners

[matt]

Hi,

I have kept my indian running ducks and saxony's together (which probably wasn't the best idea as we know have some crosses!). I now have 23 ducklings and am really struggling to sex them, i understnad that you need to turn them on their back and push down to reveal their 'bits' but they all look the same to me - would a penis be very prominent or is it a tricky process until you are used to it? I am fairly certain from the colouring that we have a mixture of male and female but on the young runners it is difficult to tell and i don't want to rely purely on visual sexing. Can anyone help?

I know this is an age old question and have reviewed some of the older posts on the forum already and am none the wiser!!!

Thanks

 

[foxy]

Vent sexing does take some experience to do this technique safely and accurately, and it helps having someone else to show you how.
WIth vent sexing it is not so much about "pushing" on the vent area but peeling back gently to expose the vent and the penis in drakes.

 

[matt]

I do not know anyone experienced to show me how unfortunately - the closet i can get is someone who has been shown by someone else!
Is it safe to do this at all ages or does it need to be done straight away?

 

[foxy]

Vent sexing ducklngs should really only be done between hatch and about 3 weeks old, not any older because their organs are more developed and there is more risk of harm. Physical differences in ducklings become apparent at about 6 weeks old.
Where are you based Matt?

 

[matt]

nottinghamshire