Runner and Mallard cross?

[Russian Blue]

Yes, you should clip one wing on each duck. This is for their own safety. I had mine fly to the neighbor's yard and not be able to get back over the fence. One ended up three houses down and I wouldn't have got her back except they knew I had ducks and called me. There are good videos on Youtube that show how to clip duck wings.

As for male vs. female, you have only two options. First is to learn to sex them when they are first hatched. This is difficult and takes practice but if you can learn it you will save money and probably be able to hire yourself out! The other option is to wait until their voices start changing at 3-4 months.

Unlike chickens, I don't think there is such thing as a sex-link duck that can be sexed at hatch by color. If there is, someone will brobaby jump in and tell us about it.

 

[119chixanducks]

Ok i will look on YouTube. My fence is about 5 ft. and big yard of 3 acres. I also dont know when to let them free range and if they'll go in house at night like chickens do?

 

[119chixanducks]

I got these ducks from my neighbor. They were about two months old when I got them, i've had them about a month. I've had chickens for about seven years but no experience with ducks. I want to take care of them properly. I've been reading on the Internet but will probably get storeys book for ducks.
They haven't warmed up to me yet. They move away from me when I go in the pin. So thinking about clipping their wings seems like it would put a lot of stress on them because I am a stranger as of now. Trying to talk to them and get them acquainted with me as I'm the one who brings the food, changes water etc. any advice is much appreciated! Thanks for the help so far!

 

[119chixanducks]

Are ducks like chickens they come back to their house at night??

 

[blueducklings]

I have 6 very beautiful rare pure bread runner drakes from the Holderread line that I would like to share with BYC runner lovers
Let's keep the Holderread line going!!
PM me

 

[Russian Blue]

Are ducks like chickens they come back to their house at night??

They do not go back in at night. The good thing is, they are easy to herd back in, unlike chickens.

 

[Tiffany541]

These are my 2 indian mallards

 

[Kimmyh51]

I have what is either a khaki Campbell /mallard or runner mallard x (depending on which of my domestic boys impregnated a wild mallard girl who lives here).

The resulting female duck has more the size and color of a runner or khaki Campbell, but her body shape and the way she stands all mallard.
Initially she could fly quite well, but recently I have noticed her flapping her wings and moving across the ground without really leaving it (much like my domestics do when it's windy and they are feeling energetic).

If I had to take a guess, I'd say her father was one of my drakes who is more khaki Campbell than runner, and certainly she doesn't have any of the upright posture the runners have. But it could be either.

I am wondering how well she is likely to lay when she is old enough, given the wild ducks only lay a few eggs a year, and the khaki Campbell and my girls with runner in them lay most of the year (except when moulting)

Also whether the eggs will be the white eggs my domestics lay or e pale green the mallards lay. And will she be a really good broody like her wild mum is.... She's my first hybrid, so I am eager to hear others experiences with wild/domestic crosses while I wait to see how she turns out.
Also wondering whether she will choose a wild or domestic drake as her mate in autumn...
Shes about 3&1/2 mths old but attached photo is when she was much younger and made me realise I need to take her photo again.. She now looks like a larger more golden brown version of a wild mallard.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a gorgeous duck, I don't have that mix so can't weigh in on your questions but just wanted to say what a pretty mix she is. I will follow this for others answers.