Raising Mallards

[silkie1472]

I have a pair of mallard ducks and I am planning on letting the hen hatch her own babies this spring. There is just a few things I need to know:

What time of year do mallards begins laying? (I know in spring, I just would like a specific date)

Since my mallards can not raise their own ducklings on a pond because of possums, pac-rats, raccoons, etc., when would I need to move them to a pen so the hen can make her nest?

Both of the duck's wings are clipped, will they need to grown back before nesting?

What will I need in their pen for them to be happy and for the hen to nest? (I have a kiddie pool in there)

 

[silkie1472]

The pen is 20x10x10 with 200 sq. ft.

 

[silkie1472]

Anyone?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Anyone?

@buff goose guy

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

What time of year do mallards begins laying? (I know in spring, I just would like a specific date)
I dont have mallards, so Im not sure. I dont think you can even have a specific date


Since my mallards can not raise their own ducklings on a pond because of possums, pac-rats, raccoons, etc., when would I need to move them to a pen so the hen can make her nest?
Is the pond fenced in? Have you seen possum and coons by the pond? Are there turtles in the pond?

Both of the duck's wings are clipped, will they need to grown back before nesting?
No

What will I need in their pen for them to be happy and for the hen to nest? (I have a kiddie pool in there)
Ii think a nice safe feeling nest would be good. Like a small box, with a roof, and some soft bedding.

 

[Kroelies]

I'd expect at the end of March. Zorro's ducklings were born at the beginning of May, Julie's about 2 weeks later but she laid more eggs. I had them in the yard for a few weeks but the smell got really awful and the pools dirty.

 

[silkie1472]

[COLOR=333333]What time of year do mallards begins laying? (I know in spring, I just would like a specific date)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]I dont have mallards, so Im not sure. I dont think you can even have a specific date[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]Since my mallards can not raise their own ducklings on a pond because of possums, pac-rats, raccoons, etc., when would I need to move them to a pen so the hen can make her nest?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Is the pond fenced in? Have you seen possum and coons by the pond? Are there turtles in the pond?[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]Both of the duck's wings are clipped, will they need to grown back before nesting?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]No[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]
[/COLOR][COLOR=333333]What will I need in their pen for them to be happy and for the hen to nest? (I have a kiddie pool in there)[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Ii think a nice safe feeling nest would be good. Like a small box, with a roof, and some soft bedding.[/COLOR]

The pond is not fenced in. Yes, I have seen coyotes, possums, foxes, raccoons, turtles, minks, and hawks at the pond. Snakes are even an issue. I have never had a duck to raise her own babies. One hatched one duckling (two really but she stepped on one), and that duckling was eaten by a bass.

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Ooook....Better keep em away from the pond then!

 

[silkie1472]

I just need help with one more question:

When would I need to move them to their nesting pen? (They stay with rouens)

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

I would say when the duck starts to lay. Once you get an egg or two, put them in the pen. Let her lay a clutch, and hopefully then she will set.