Mallard

Last year in 2023 I found a baby mallard, all alone in a Kroger parking lot, surrounded by cars and no mom or nest, let alone a pond or water source to be found. Brought her home and named her Daisy. Had 2 broody hens with 10 chicks at the time, tried to put Daisy with them, but broody hens rejected her. Daisy imprinted on me very fast, following me all around. She tended to chase the chickens around. I felt bad because whenever we went inside she would wait at the door, waiting for sometimes a few hours until we could come outside. She was very friendly and cute and loved to cuddle as a baby. Went missing several times, and she eventually turned up every time except that last time. One night I went in my house to have dinner, came back 15 minutes later, and she was gone. Nowhere to be found, I looked everywhere. I didn't hear any squacking, quaking, and didn't find any feathers or blood anywhere. It still remains a mystery..... Otherwise, I would recommend taking a mallard in if you find a missing duckling, because usually in the Spring time rehab centers are overrun with animals and can't take any more in. I would call just in case, though.

Every duck is different, but in my experience mallards are very friendly, smart birds - they quickly learn their name and any other words related to food and will promptly run to you when you call them. Not too vocal. Don't shy away from being picked up if they trust you.

Mallard drakes love to boss around other birds, which can be pretty funny, considering they're often the smallest ones in the flock. They're also kind of territorial: it's their yard, their human, their pool, etc. As you can tell they don't make friends easily with new birds, but if you raise them together as ducklings, they're chill. Out of all the duck breeds I've met, they are most like dogs.

We got our first mallard 4 years ago. Found him while fishing the day after a terrible storm at about 2 days old. There were no ducks or nests anywhere. Ended up taking him home and raising him with our goslings. When he grew up and tried mating with one of the geese we decided it was time to get him some friends. Got 2 mallard ducks, 2 magpies, 2 Saxony, 2 crested, and a Campbell. They are our "Duck Dynasty" and Quack Miller, the first mallard, rules over them all. Even the Saxon ducks and geese! We keep them in the duck pen till mid morning to ensure everyone lays their eggs in there making it easier on us to retrieve them. We've never had health issues or had any of them fly off. Coyotes have been our only problem as with any other of our birds. They are no more "messy" than any other water bird and as long as coop maintenance is kept up they stay clean and happy.