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Domestic mallard duck question

post #1 of 7
8/9/12 at 4:37am
Thread Starter 
We have a female mallard duck that we raised from a baby. She is now grown and very attached to the collie that raised her..but she thinks she's a dog so we would like to get her a mate.

Is it possible for us to get a duckling and have her raise it and then allow him to be her mate?

Or would we have to raise him separately and then introduce him as an adult?

Is it guaranteed that they will even form a bond?

We want her to be able to interact with another duck. She never leaves the yard though she could anytime she wants and she even makes cute nests and lays eggs, though she's never even seen another duck. She and the dog are inseparable.

If we get a duck will she bond with him the same way she has with the dog? Or will she forever believe that the dog is her mate?

Thanks in advance
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post #2 of 7
8/9/12 at 4:50am

you will need to raise the drake and introduce as an adult

 

and no there is no garuntee that they will pair up

 

but chances are high

 

 

 

this is the reason why its said clearly

 

fowl are flocking birds and need flock mates

 

never buy a single bird and who ever sold you a single bird is a irresponsible keeper and seller

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Formerly Silverfox0786

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5 Red Star, 1 Speckledy, 3 Col Blacktails, 3 White Star [Leghorn]  1 Amber Star - All Hybrid Pullets, 1 French Copper Marans - Roo, 2 Lavender Araucanas - Roos, 3 Cream Legbars - 2 Pullets & 1 Roo

 

Formerly Silverfox0786

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post #3 of 7
8/9/12 at 7:27am

1. Yes that;s fine. Just wait until she's broody and you can try to slip the duckling under her. 

 

2.. You can but that's going to be more work on you and it would be easier to make sure they get along if he's raised by her. 

 

3. It's not set in stone but yes they will most likely form a connection. However, you must remember unlike Wild Mallards most of them do not pair up for breeding. 

 

4. The dog is not her mate. It's her flockmate. She sees him as part of her flock/ Domestic ducks rarely actually form pairs. That is more common for geese.

 

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #4 of 7
8/9/12 at 4:52pm
Thread Starter 
She is wild. We found her all by herself on a construction site when she was about 4 weeks old..she has wild instincts. This is why I wondered if bringing in a domestic would be a good thing or a bad thing. Thanks for your answers.
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post #5 of 7
8/9/12 at 4:55pm
Thread Starter 
The second answer is completely opposite of the first..who is right? Also I keep seeing they won't pair up?? I thought ducks were monogamus?
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post #6 of 7
8/9/12 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by XzottikAnimal View Post

She is wild. We found her all by herself on a construction site when she was about 4 weeks old..she has wild instincts. This is why I wondered if bringing in a domestic would be a good thing or a bad thing. Thanks for your answers.

You might want to be careful posting such information. Keeping any bird from the Wild is illegal and can result in a hefty fine. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by XzottikAnimal View Post

The second answer is completely opposite of the first..who is right? Also I keep seeing they won't pair up?? I thought ducks were monogamous?

I can only say from my own personal experience from raising Mallards. Yes some duck species are monogamous but I do not believe Mallards are. 

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #7 of 7
8/10/12 at 3:30am
Thread Starter 
Well I may add that we are not keeping her from anything or anywhere. Her wings are not clipped and she does not live confined in anything. She is free to go wherever she wants we just raised her and kept her from being eaten by foxes or any other dangers that could harm her when she was young. She is growing very attached to the other animals that hang out at the house including 2 dogs 3 cats and several kittens. she is also very trusting of people and would probably never make it in the wild if she did fly away.
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