pure bred mallard ducks-need help with nesting requirements

[Medusa M]

hi...i have 4 pure bred mallard ducks (2 males and 2 females ) they are still young but i am preparing for ducklings when they start laying .... ive seperated them from the other ducks (so when they do start breeding i will know they will all be pure bred ducklings)

but what will i need for them ....e.g. do they need certain nesting boxes? ,dose straw need to be in the box ? when will they start to breed ?

they are going through a malt at the moment (think its almost over though)so will they start breeding straight after that ?

do they need water to breed in like some other ducks???

and finally how many eggs will they lay each and whats the hatching rate for them


thanks and any information that you may have on the mallards would be most helpfull even if its not one of my questions haha

also if pictures would help with your understanding of their age i can upload some(just ask me to and i will straight away) and any pictures of your mallards would be great to as i like to see other peoples mallards

HUGE THANKS

 

[Kevin565]

1. I'd get rid of a drake. Mallards can be very aggressive breeders especially during breeding season. You'd be better off with a 1 male 2 female trio.

2. I've never used a special nesting box. Mine seem to just make nests in a dog houses. It's always worked just fine for me.

3. How old are they? Breeding time will vary a bit from individual to individual.

4. Yes they need water for better fertility rates.

5. This will vary but mine usually lay around 60ish through out the entire year. Clutches seem to be bigger in spring than in fall.

6. Hatch rates will vary depending on a lot of things but mine usually have high hatch rates.

 

[Medusa M]

hi kevin565

i am planning on getting more females as soon as i can find them

i have given them many different things to nest in so i guess its now just up to them and when there ready

i will be getting a clam/shell pool for them if it will help with the fertility rates

heres some photos of them to help every ones umderstanding of their age





would they possible use this to nest in ???







thank you for all your information

 

[crazyhatch]

I agree with kevin565. One of my hens are just starting to lay. With two drakes hens will be raped to death no joke

 

[Kevin565]

It's possible they would try to nest in the log but I'm not honestly sure how well it would keep in heat when being brooded in.

 

[destinduck]

Kevin She can throw some straw in there and "presto" instant nest .LOL! I agree with everything except I have never had a problem with drakes as long as they have their own sheila. Also medusa try to give your birds at least three nesting sites. Mine have had nest out in the open in all type s of boxes. But I mainly like a covered box so she has comfort from the elements, Im an old softie.

 

[Medusa M]

yes ,ive set up several nesting sites ,here are just some of the things ive put in (p.s. some of these things im only trying because it has work with my other ducks )



large parrot nesting boxes
crates that have had holes cut into them
behind some nesting boxes


this picture may be unclear but what it is is just a big dent/small hole ...and ive had ducks lay here before and i read somewhere that a duck will comenly lay where other ducks have already layed so i thourght i would give it a try

 

[destinduck]

Those will all work probably.These are the three of mine that have hens sitting on eggs I just went outside and took these. I always put hay or straw where they might like to lay