Mandarin Duck thread ( for posting pictures and discussing)

[buff goose guy]

Around what time of year do Mandarins start laying ?

 

[TamingMaster]

Hi, I have two Mandarin Drakes!

Mr.PewwPeww and Mr.ColourfulRainbowPants.

Does anyone know how to tame them? :/

 

[3BirdGirlz]

Very pretty boys But you can't really "tame" them. I hand raised my babies from hatch, they'd eat out if my hand, but when they grew up they didn't want anything to go with me.
I can sit really close to them but no touching. If I startle them they still fly like crazy to the end of the pen and sometimes smash into it. I sit with them and they come running each day when they know I'm brining food and treats. So I'd say they'll get tamer the more you spend time with them, but probably not to touch.

 

[TamingMaster]

Very pretty boys But you can't really "tame" them. I hand raised my babies from hatch, they'd eat out if my hand, but when they grew up they didn't want anything to go with me.
I can sit really close to them but no touching. If I startle them they still fly like crazy to the end of the pen and sometimes smash into it. I sit with them and they come running each day when they know I'm brining food and treats. So I'd say they'll get tamer the more you spend time with them, but probably not to touch.

Thanks!
And thanks for the information.

They have calmed down a bit since we got them, but they still fly into the sides of their pen when they are startled, I don't want them getting hurt...
I just wanted to tame them a bit, so if they get Mites or Lice, or if they get hurt I can treat them without stressing them out.... :/

 

[AliciaM]

I have a male mandarin. Hes coming 2 yrs old. I have had him 1 yr. When I first got him he was in his eclipse plumage (drab, girly colors.. I think im calling it by the right term). When he molted into his nuptual plumage (?) he never completely changed.. Its like he stopped half way. When the seasons changed, he molted again into eclipse plumage.. So completely I couldnt tell him apart from my other males. Well, now all my other males have changed into pretty colors, but he is again stuck halfway thru molting.
Any idea why? Can he breed like this? Id rather him NOT breed, but I have no place to put him seperate from the others. Once I get everyone rearranged (getting new birds soon) he will be in with 2 pairs of wood ducks and a trio of mandarins. That trio has been together for a while and are bonded pretty good.

 

[3BirdGirlz]

If he's getting correct nutrition, I'd say it's genetic and wouldn't use him. And like you said, he might not even be able to breed. Survival of the fittest.

 

[AliciaM]

Does anyone have pictures of their mandarin and wood duck enclosures made out of chain link? Ive got about 145 feet of chain link kennel panels that I need to configure into a couple of mandarin pens.. I will have a total of 13 ducks. I need ideas on how to cover it also.. Not a solid cover, but the netting, etc..
Thanks.

 

[cjexotic]

I don't have current pics but this is the basic pen I started with. I know have support (Two supports. one on
each end to help support the snow until I get home from work to shake it off. I also have 4 nesting boxes in there.
I only have 3 pair of ducks in this pen. But it works as it has an upstair and downstairs apartment and a pool in both.
Oh and the netting goes right to the ground and is screwed to the 2x4 so nothing can get under the chainlink. the netting is
pond netting. It is 1/4" mesh so nothing can get in. I have no probem with the snow.

 

[sunsmuckers]

Hi! This is my first time posting in this forum. I just got a breeding pair of Mandarin Ducks on Wed (Oct. 29). They seem happy and healthy - enjoying the pond and aviary, and they're active in swimming, cleaning, and drinking water. However, they have yet to eat since they've been here. I've seen them peck at the ground (rarely), but I know there wasn't any food (that I put out). I started out putting wild bird feed in a tray with some acorns, Romaine lettuce, grapes, and carrots. Then, I even tried tossing some out on the ground around where they like to perch. They haven't touched anything. There's a possibility they may have even a grape or two that my boyfriend tossed into the pond, but we're not sure. Any advice?? I don't want them to starve themselves!



This is them in one-half of the aviary that we built.

 

[TamingMaster]

[COLOR=333333]Hi! This is my first time posting in this forum. I just got a breeding pair of Mandarin Ducks on Wed (Oct. 29). They seem happy and healthy - enjoying the pond and aviary, and they're active in swimming, cleaning, and drinking water. However, they have yet to eat since they've been here. I've seen them peck at the ground (rarely), but I know there wasn't any food (that I put out). I started out putting wild bird feed in a tray with some acorns, Romaine lettuce, grapes, and carrots. Then, I even tried tossing some out on the ground around where they like to perch. They haven't touched anything. There's a possibility they may have even a grape or two that my boyfriend tossed into the pond, but we're not sure. Any advice?? I don't want them to starve themselves! [/COLOR] This is them in one-half of the aviary that we built.

WOW! That's a huge Aviary! (I'm jealous!)