Should I get mallards? I would love your input.

[ThebigE]

I have muscovy ducks and I love the colors of mallards and how fast they can fly, and especially their colors and how they raise there own INPUT PLEASE!

 

[1duckychick]

Mallards are one of my favorite ducks. I've had a few and plan to get more at some point. Mine were always sweet and friendly. They were the smartest of the bunch too. They were also more daring and adventurous then the others.

 

[Mahonri]

If I had sufficient land... and a pond, I would have mallards.

 

[RockwaterFarm]

Quote:
i agree with the smartness factor and the daring too. mine were also very agressive, but in a good way, he didnt like to see othe ducks mating, he would jump up and land on top of the male and peck his head until he got off. it was more amusing me than worrying he was gonna hurt my muscovy who was 5 times the size of him. Mine just had an additude. His two best friend were two pekins. Two weeks ago he got killed by a dog but i am defintely getting more at TSC this spring

 

[RockwaterFarm]

Quote:
i dont have a pond, i just gave mine a 3 galoon rubber bowl to swim in, im getting a 55 gallon tu though cause i have a goose now

 

[dumb_cluck]

Mallards. Can't beat them. They are the most interesting ducks I have come across.

 

[annaraven]

We had three - our first ducks. Big mistake. They flew away. Maybe if we'd gotten them as ducklings and raised them, they'd have stuck around...

 

[skillswife]

Domestic I assume? I rescued 3 wild mallard babies last summer and even though we were quite bonded, but in Oct. they flew the coop I do feel good that I didn't make them pets and that they were able to fly back to the rest of the ducks, but was pretty sad when they left.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Mallards can fly. If they are treated well and fed well, they will remain. However, I would make sure they do not get to go out without a pen to fee range.

If "anything" frightens them, they will fly. Please read my website blog.

 

[1duckychick]

I think what helped keep mine from straying too far was the fact that they were raised from day-old with 4 other non-flying breeds. A couple times they did get spooked and took off but they landed a cuple blocks away and quacked until we came and found them.

We didn't have a pond. Our troop was happy with a big kiddie pool.

If you have ample land and pond area then you should be fine but if you're in a more populated suburban area then I would suggest clipping the wings - for the ducks safety. Each duck I've lost has been a flyer and the reason I lost them was because they flew off and got into trouble.