Questions about mallard ducks

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Jeanne Miller

Jeanne Miller

In the Brooder
Mar 5, 2016
9
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What is the minimum and optimum square footage for mallard ducks, both inside and outside?

What is the optimum balance of males to females? Right now I have more males than females, and I know that is not good.

Is it best to keep ducks ad chickens within their breeds, or is it ok to mix them? Do they mate across breeds?

Sorry, I know I sound like a hopeless newbie! Please bear with me.
 
I'm new, too. Haven't even bought my first duck. I'll answer the questions I can:

1. I'd love to get an answer to that!
2. I think they should be paired and will stay that way for several years. I would guess that if you buy them individually, you'd need a 50/50 split between males and females; maybe a couple of extra females. I think you were thinking chickens where you need more hens than roosters.
3. Even if they're monogamous, they often breed across lines. If you want to maintain purity, separate them from the other breeds. However, most of the extended Mallard family are very compatible except during mating season. Even when you deal with a licensed hatchery you can get Hybrids and you're completely unaware, so the only way you can be sure is breed your own.

Sorry it's not much info, but I know how you feel attempting this when you don't know what you're doing and have no one to ask. I quit worrying that my questions were stupid weeks ago!
 
The general space recommendations are 4 sq ft of coop space and 10 sq ft run space per bird. There are factors that give you a little wiggle room. Mallards are a smaller breed so you might get away with a less space. But I'd recommend you give them as much space as you can.

Wild Mallards mate in pairs. Domesticated Mallards may also but you may get a drake that it not satisfied with just one hen. It will depend on the duck. For other breeds it is generally a minimum of 3 hens to each drake.

Ducks will crossbreed. If you aren't breeding for specific breeds you don't really need to worry about separating them. Just be careful with larger breed drakes trying to breed smaller hens.

Check out the Duck thread in the Other Poultry section. Lots of us duck lovers over there.
 

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