THe age of a mandarin ducks

[adorable]

THere is a guy i can buy one pair of mandarin ducks from. He tells me they are 2 year old. But i dont think he is telling me the truth on the age. THere is no band. He bought them last year at a auction. So he says. He also says that it is to early in the year for her to start to lay. But the muscovies are laying. Is this right?IS there any way of looking to tell to see if they are old are just 2 year old?

 

[1lpoock]

You can't really tell a two year old from a year old or even older. However, he is right about the female not laying yet. In some parts of the U.S., the females don't lay until May or June!

 

[adorable]

ok thanks. HOw long will the female lay eggs for....Meaning age wise?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Most mandarins start laying at 2 years of age. Mine start around April.

 

[adorable]

well he told me that she was laying last year. So she was suppose to be one year old.

 

[1lpoock]

Many mandarins (most) do lay their first spring.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I love Mandarin Ducks, if I get some, will I have to keep them in an enclosed pen so they will not fly away? how are they compared to let's say the mallard as far as laying and all. what is the egg size and color?

 

[1lpoock]

The egg size is about the size of a call duck egg and is off-white. They usually lay one clutch of 8-12 eggs and sometimes lay a second clutch the same year. You will need to keep them in an aviary unless they are pinioned. You can see pics of my aviary and birds on my website!

 

[Wild Chicken]

Quote:
What is your opinion on pinioning ducks? (That's a mouthful)!!!!

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

That's all correct on the advise. I do have eggs due to hacth in 8 days now though, but up in Ontario they are probably right with it being later on. Most do lay BEST at 2 years on to 6-8, first years layers are luck in my experience, but they will do it on occation.
There is no big deal on pinioning. It needs to be done at a day old when possible, though I have pinioned adult birds too, just much harder on them then. They fly like no bodys business, so dont let them out if they arent, these arent "pet" ducks, they will leave you in a heart beat. The only draw back to pinioning is, they are now defenseless to preditors, so you still need to keep them in an aviary if you want them to be safe. So, for my persoanl birds, I always build large covered aviaries and enjoy watching them fly around. If you have a large pond for them, they'll have a better shot if pinioned and let out, but still, if you have bad critter problems in your area, they'll eventually disapear on you.

oh forgot, if your seller bought them at an auction, unless they were babies, he honestly has no idea how old they are!