Mandarin Ducks

[SundownWaterfowl]

I have a trio of Mandarin ducks. I got them last fall when they were around maybe 5 months old, the male already has his colors.

Did your lay their first year? Mine havent laid this year.

Also, if you could post a picture of you mandarin laying box, it would be greatly appreciated. I need some ideas for next spring.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

Like the wood duck, Mandarins require nesting boxes to nest in. The breeding season begins in late April when the hen begins to lay her clutch of 8 to 12 eggs that are incubated for about 28 days. The hens are good mothers and will raise her own young if you allow her to. The ducklings grow quickly and are able to fly at 8 weeks. They are able to breed the first year, but fertility is best during the second year

 

[Frosty]

They won't lay without a nest box. Just do a search and find plans for wood duck nest boxes. These are the plans that I used: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/woodduck/wdnbox.htm
Make an extra box or two so that they can 'choose' the one that they want. Mine didn't lay the first year. Good luck, they are beautiful birds!

 

[Lophura]

Quote:
Some will and some won't lay the first year - I've had both situations. How big is the aviary? Are they the only ducks in there or are they sharing it?

Jan Harteman has a page on nestboxes - http://www.harteman.nl/omnibus/index.html , as mentioned, they use the same style as North American Woodies and plans for them are all over the net.

If the hen is pinioned or wing clipped, you will need a ramp to the hole.

My hen in her box -

Dan

 

[Lophura]

I also meant to include Dr. Field's sites as well - Fowl Ideas for the Aviculturist: http://www.utm.edu/departments/cece/idea.shtml

An image from his site on building woodie boxes - http://www.utm.edu/departments/cece/idea/wdnestaid.shtml

Dan