mallard help

[Kevin565]

i have four 2 week old mallard ducklings. I have a couple of questions.

1. When will they start flying?
2. When do they start laying?
3. When should i be able to sex them?
4. Will i have to clip there wings?

 

[dumb_cluck]

Mallards can be sexed easily when they are about two months old. The drakes will start to get their greenish feathers on their heads. Up till then they will all look alike.

They will start exercising their wings about this same time.

Mine started to lay after six months.

I prefer not to clip their wings. It is expensive and has to be done more than once. Only a qualified vet should do it or you can injure the ducks.

Here's where you can read about mine: http://www.thebigskyranch.com/mallard_family.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[pringle]

I got 5 mallards from Ideal but the male died when he was young

its easy to sex them becouse the males get a greenish head.They can start flying at around 8-12 weeks and if your keeping them in a run then yes you should clip one of there wings.I got them in october and they havent layed yet so I think they will start laying next year.