how does everybody get there ducks likeNA Pintails,woodducksandmandrin

[Stoney22]

isnt it illegal to keep "wild" ducks? just wondering because ive always wanted some woodducks but idk where i could legally obtain any and how?
and tips would be awesome.

 

[Natermotor]

I got mine from Mallard Lane Farms. Jamie is great to deal with, and my pintails are a pleasure!

You need a 3-186(I think that's what it's called) to keep birds like wood ducks and pintails and most teals, but not to keep Mandarins(again, don't quote me on this, but I think I'm correct).

As far as tips:

For wood ducks it is preferable to use nest boxes, as they are cavity nesters.

No need to buy the expensive "Super Duck Food," a nice layer pellet will do them just fine.

Make the aviary as big as you can reasonably afford.

They don't need a pond to survive, but if at all possible, put one in.

Be sure to put lots of perches in the aviary for wood ducks, as they like to perch.

Try to plant some tough grasses like Pampas in the pen. It makes the pen look more ornamental, but it also gives them some cover.


That's all that I can think of at the moment.

 

[waterdog]

First thing you should do is to contact your states fish and wildlife department some states require you have a state permit to keep them. Once you find out your states laws and meet them you can purchase them. Make sure who ever sells them to you gives you a Federal 3-186 form this is your proof they are captive raised and not taken from the wild. If you get them and start raising young birds that you want to sell you must then get a Federal Sale and Disposal Permit if you don't sell any birds you do not need this Federal permit.

 

[Stoney22]

just out of curiousty how would i go about getting woodies and what are we looking at for a price if it were legal and i could obtain a permit. im just wondering about how much a pair would be and/or if i could get a few wood duck ducklings, i understand they may be more pricey than more common ducks but what are we looking at?

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

read the first 5-6 pages
The Migratory/Ornamental Waterfowl INFO Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=345303

I started this thread to teach every one about migratory waterfowl.
In the later pages, it also has all the species which require the federal permit as well as links as to how to get it.
Just google
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL SELLS AND DIPOSAL PERMIT

It will come right up.
Just to own them, you need nothing on a Federal permit level, cant speak for your own state laws, most require nothing but your state DNR will be able to tell you.
On the sell, the seller has to have a permit, yes they give you a form 3-186 . This is you possession permit, keep it and show it if ever asked. Now if you decide to transfer them in any way dead or alive to another person, you must have your own permit.
Wood ducks and all migratory species have been kept in captivity for centuries. These are all captive population birds. Yes it is illegal to go out and collect your own, very illegal.
All captive birds must have the 3-186 permit and be marked in one of 4 methods.
Wood ducks are the cheapest and most common by far. you can buy yearling pairs in the fall for $40- $50 every where, dont pay more than that, they just arent worth it.
The A.P.W.S. and Gamebird Breeders Gazette are two publications that specialise in the sell and trade of these birds and have about 15 pages per issue of classifieds. there is also several forums dedicated to them. Cant mention their names here though for BYC policys.

Anyway, read threw that thread I linked, it will help you a lot in care, housing feed pretty much any question you may have. If you have more after that, feel free to ask away

 

[Stoney22]

olk thank you very much, i am looking into getting some and glad you mention they are around 40$ because all places i googled, mcmurray's for example a juvenile pair goes for around 130$ and ive seenup to 150$ for a juvenile pair. i want to get a pair but after my other ducks have got there feathers( mine will be 4 weeks this sunday i beleive coming up) also would woodducks do ok with some NH red chicken hens? thanks Dan
PS im going to read your arcticle now

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

yes Lord dont ever buy any of these species from hatcheries, all they do is drop ship from actual breeders and triple the price on you.
There are 1000's of breeders of wood ducks and mandarins all over the country. Most migratory waterowl on average run $50- $250 per pair, so are in the thousands, but are very rare and should be left to the pros. But wood ducks and mandarins are the cheapest and easiest so makes me sick to see people charging $100 + per pair on them
afterall 10 years ago, you could get them for $25- $30

 

[kangababy]

Quote:
Someone in my area has Manadrin Wood Duck ducklings 4 weeks old for $50 on craigslist. I started to email them and say they had lost their mind! unless they were the white manadrins but I know better because they had pictures posted.

You should easily be able to find them though.I have more than I care to have... Just waiting on my permit so I can sell them!

and I wouldn't keep them in a pen with chickens. The chickens can spread diseases to them easily and then you could lose them.

 

[Stoney22]

is this for all ducks or just less hardy ones like mandarins? i kinda cant get rid of my chickens now...so i hope its not so.

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

what part are you referring to?
all migratory water fowl are pricey, only the north american species require permits. Mandarins ARE one of the most hardy species of them.
and no, no domestic fowl should be kept near any waterfowl or gamebirds