Sex-changing duck??? I hope ducks are allowed in here too…

[Pleasedontdothat]

We’ve had a flock of ducks for the last 2 and a bit years. We currently have six ducks and two drakes. There are three runner ducks and three khaki Campbells (the drakes are a runner and a harlequin Campbell). All the girls laid eggs last summer but tailed off over the autumn and stopped completely over winter. They started laying again a month ago but I realised that one of the Campbells wasn’t laying. Then I realised that one of them (presumably the same duck) has suddenly developed a curly tail feather which is usually the sign of a male duck. Obviously I realised that she can’t change sex but I’m a bit worried about what’s causing the changes - any ideas? Our normal vet doesn’t ‘do’ ducks and the farm vets aren’t really bothered about pet ducks.

Ducks can change sex!

Female ducks have zw genes, and their masculine traits, like plumage, are suppresses by estrogen from their main ovary (ducks tend to only have one ovary producing estrogen). If that ovary gets damaged, they will take on a masculine traits (while remaining genetically female).

Well I never. You learn something every day.

Well I don't just want the laughing emoji back, we need a gob smacked one!!😮😯😲🤯

Updating this - she is still with us, still identifying as a drake, every couple of months she lays an egg and then returns to her life of leisure 😉. Once in a blue moon she half-heartedly tries to mount one of the other girls but nobody seems that bothered. The two actual drakes obviously don’t see her as a threat as they pretty much ignore her. I’ve not investigated further as the nearest exotic vet is about an hour and a half away and I don’t think the stress of the journey would do her any good and at the moment she seems otherwise happy

I know nothing about ducks but am finding this thread very interesting and informative.
I’m glad to hear that this duck is happy in herself.