Looking for suggestions and also have a newbie question or two

I have no idea where you heard that male ducks could be the same as they would without females.

No for madarins ( and every other duck )each male needs at the very least one female each.

Now i had males live together with each other when my female rouens died back in 2008 and it is bad there is always a struggle for a mate and dominance and everything can go wrong, half of my male rouens actually turned G*y and since have not wanted to mate with any females. its a very unhealthy life style for ducks.

So you need females if you want no fighting, and peacefulness at your water source that you have for them.

I recommend getting Storey's guide to raising ducks! it helps alot and is quite interesting to read.

 

I had 2 male pekins and they were happy as can be with just eachother. So I have to disagree the buff goose guy. My boys were raised together and I never had any problems. I have no idea if mandarins are the same as other domestic ducks. In fact I know nothing about them other than they are beautiful!

 

I started with 2 male Pekin ducks. They are happy as can be also. I have also added girls to the flock and both my males are still inseperatable, they eat together, they swim together, the discuss what they want to do next (lol seriously they do) They really could care less about anyone else

 

There are a lot of people who recommend an "all drake flock" for people who don't want eggs or ducklings.

If you're looking for the most decorative ducks, it's usually the males who are the most colorful.

 

Ducks are flocking birds, and always do best with company. Mine naturally separate by breed, but that is not always the case, as many are quite happy to form mixed flocks. Housing varies a little depending on climate, but the key elements are shelter from the elements, protection from predators, and clean water to bathe in. Kiddie pools work really well for just a few ducks, because they can be easily emptied and cleaned. Ducks foul water quickly, and need a clean water source to stay healthy. If you are in a cooler climate, a smaller house that holds heat well is better. Warmer areas should have enclosures with good air circulation to keep them cool.
Whether males tolerate each other depends a lot on the breed. Some are more easygoing than others. Some of my drakes are really easygoing, and I have others that attack everyone. Buff Goose Guy is correct in that some males will pair bond with each other, and will have no interest in females even if they are introduced later. I have no experience with mandarins, so I don't know how aggressive the drakes for that breed are. Ducks can get really nasty when they fight, and can do quite a bit of damage, so I would check with a mandarin breeder with regards to how the drakes behave in a group.
Research is key. Learn about the breeds you are interested in, talk to breeders and owners, and get a feel for what to expect. Keeping ducks can be quite rewarding!