So I'm new to this duck thing.....HELP!

[hendrix25]

Baby ducks are just so precious and such a joy to have, but they grow so fast!! I noticed you said that your husband found the eggs on his boat. So that means that these little babies were laid by a wild mallard? I just know that you aren't suppose to keep wild mallards, so you might want to check on that. Just to keep you legally safe. I am surprised that no one else on here has mentioned that yet. I know that there can be pretty harsh fines for keep wildlife, so look into that. I just don't want you to get into any trouble. I'm not for sure but I think that wild mallards have to be three generations out of the wild before you can keep them as a domestic waterfowl. I'm not sure how you attempt the three generations without keeping them "illegally".

best of luck!!

 

[Duck Keeper]

Taking wild ducks is illegal, and another thing is I don't think the black one is pure mallard?? (I just don't want you to have huge fines!)

I've had several mallards from hatcheries and they all had the eyestripes and spots that the other two have etc etc... They are definitely cute though!

The three generation thing seems to be a recurring theme about how long until they're considered 'domestic,' but I know hatcheries have to either hole-punch the webbing of their feet (with a special poultry toe-punch thing) or clip their dewclaw/back toe off to mark the fact that they are domestic. Toe-punching works best when the ducklings are very young, so the hole won't close up, and it'll be bigger as an adult. It's like clipping a toenail.

Also, now that you have Appleyards (well, eggs anyhow), you shouldn't really keep them together, since the mallard ducks (vs drakes) can get their rear yanked out by a much larger drake's "advances." Like what happened to mine before a rehabber offered to take her and another mallard for me, fix her up, and keep them in with his Call ducks.

Mallards look huge next to Calls though.

 

[rainplace]

I think they would only need to be separated during the few months of the breeding season. I dunno though.

 

[Duck Keeper]

Quote:
Probably, but that's a long time for ducks that're bonded, and hate to be separate from each other. o_o;
At least mine got to run with smaller versions of themselves while she was healing...

Grey calls vs mallards, lol.

 

[rainplace]

Short hijack here. I thought many people let ducks mingle, separate for breeding, then let them mingle again. Am I wrong? That was my plan with my little flock. Gah, I don't want to traumatize them!

Also since the mallards can fly, wouldn't they be able to get away from the Appleyards?

 

[Duck Keeper]

Eh, my mallards never flew, unless Sawyer (drake) was in the kennel separate from his mate, were he'd fly over the 6-8 foot high fence to get to her. They might 'fly' out of the pool or something, but only a foot and a half in the air.

But back to your first question: Yes, people do that, but you need to have two separate fenced-in areas, not to mention a place for them to go during winter/non-breeding season. It's easier to have ducks of about the same size so you don't have to worry about any weird butt issues. Besides the fact that a really, REALLY big drake could theoretically break the smaller duck's legs...

 

[MysticalMom]

Quote:

I do give them treats like that ( learned what they loved from this forum!) They love it when I float green leaf lettuce in their pool and PEAS!! OMG they go CRAZY for peas. I haven't tried spaghetti sauce. LOL

 

[MysticalMom]

Yes, he found the eggs on the boat so they WERE wild. LOL . He's always bringing weird things home. I call him Doctor DooDooLittle. LOL I don't usually let him keep his "wild things" because I have a problem with taking a creature from the wild and putting it in a cage etc., but the eggs.... I couldn't let them die and the boat they were laid on was going across the bay to the new owner. If animal control or the game warden decides to come wayyyyyyyy back here ( I am FAR off the beaten path) and check them out ( and I have a feeling that won't be a problem around here,) I'll just tell 'em I got the eggs off the internet.(If you know anything about St. Mary's County Maryland you'll know most of the good ole boys around here aren't so bright anyway so I'll hope for the best) LOL I guess we'll have to see about the one that USED to be black. She looks just like the others now that they're feathered.(PICS coming eventually, I promise! I keep forgetting in the chaos I call life lol)

Thanks for the advice about keeping them together etc. I just didn't think about that. We have PLENTY of space to divide the pen and add some extra shelter. I was thinking about it anyway. I eventually want other kinds of ducks too, so I'll keep that in mind. Call ducks are sooooooooooo cute and since I can keep them with the mallards that's cool!!!!!!!! Those might have to be next! My hubby's gonna kill me, but he knows better than to tell me no once I have my mind made up.

~

On another note Dinner, one of the Mallards, ate peas RIGHT out of my hand today!!!!!!!!! *doing cartwheels* She backed off QUICKLY as soon as they were gone... but she did it!!!!!!!

I love my ducks.

 

[delawaregirl09]

ohhhh, so cute! I raised a mallard and two pekins in May, and they hated me >.< I could never do anything right with them, even treats, but I still have them

I was told they were all female, but who knows. I'd definitely love to see your newest pictures when you have them, ducks are simply amazing!