Mallard help

mc79

Songster
Jul 29, 2016
99
115
126
Clarksville, TN
I got these two mallards a month ago from a free range farm. I was hoping to get two females for eggs, but they were still young enough that they both looked exactly the same. I picked these two and hoped for the best that I picked females. Recently one of them started getting different feather patterns and the green head is starting to come in. The other still looks about the same as when I first brought them home.

I was wondering if any of you experienced mallard owners out there could help me sex my two, along with ballparking their age if possible. (By the way I have no idea if these two are the same age or not). Any help would be greatly appreciated, as the curiosity is getting the best of me...LOL! Thanks!










 
You have a pair. When purchased the drake was exhibiting eclipse plumage and is now molting into nuptial plumage. He will do this each year.
 
Oh ok. Thank you Sourland and dotknott! Looks like I need to prepare for some babies then. Should I expect any breeding/ egg laying between now and spring? These 2 are my first ducks so I've been curious what they do (or don't do) during the winter.
 
Maybe some egg laying, if lucky, mallards are seasonal layers, and they might breed once or twice but that does not ensure eggs it might just be them pairing off for spring and summer when they will mate and prepare for nesting.
 
If they are this years hatch, they don't usually lay until next spring. If they are already adults and you are feeding layer pellets, there is a chance she could lay now, but often fertility on fall eggs is low. That being said we have 9 girls that are currently laying or setting. LOL silly girls. Were the pics you posted recent pics? Our adult males molted back into nuptial plumage in August-early September. This years hatch--we still have several molting into nuptial plumage.

Good news is mallards tend to be excellent mothers. Building a nest, incubating eggs for full duration and protecting the babies. Congratulations on your news additions and look forward to seeing duckling pics in the spring.

Hope this helps. Good luck & enjoy your ducks.
 

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