My brother wanted ducks so he purchased a week old mallard pair from the feed store. Being a week old they were skittish and frightened at first. We didn't handle them often and put them in the coop with the pullets after they got too big for the brooder. They grew really fast.
Though the pullets where larger than the ducks they were afraid of them as they had never seen ducks before. After a while they became indifferent to the ducks existence. The ducks would pull on the tails of the pullets if the pullets came too close to their water bath and bowl and food. It wasn't anything serious and the pullets were more annoyed than frightened or in pain. They grew really fast and didn't run from us. The mallards would walk a couple of paces away but they were not afraid and wouldn't run. Mallards are known for being skittish and untame but I was pleased that my ducks were semi-tame with minimal handling. They did not enjoy being held but would come to our hands for treats. They loved to eat baby feeder goldfish as a treat. we would sit beside them and stroke them as they chased after the fish and eat them. They would even eat the fish out of our hands and would go towards our hands if they couldn't catch the fish, They were trying to tell us to catch them for them. The ducks were much smarter than my hens. When the guineas would sound the alarm when they saw a hawk the ducks would fly for cover, whereas the hens would just freeze and stare into the sky. They never flew away. They would fly lapse around my yard but never flew away. They are not noisy compared to other ducks I have kept. Their loudest noise was a cackle the female would occasional do and was nothing compared to the chickens egg song.
The female layed beautiful pale green eggs. She layed about 5 times a week. They were larger than the chicken eggs but small for a duck. I will mention again, Mallards are bantam ducks. The female immediately went broody after laying enough eggs. If the hens layed eggs in her nest she would roll them out. She was a dedicated setter and mother.
Now for their cons:
The ducks would see the garden hose left on, on my lawn and waddle over. They loved the clear, crisp, fresh water and would drink it up. They would also tear up and an uproot the grass that was wet. They created muddy pot holes. My lawn looked terrible.
They are Semi-Tame. The reason my brother brought home mallards was because they were small and also because a family friend had raised a single male mallard who was so so tame. My brother expected that he would handle them enough to have them be equally tame but we did not so they werent. These are not the type of ducks you would want as a friendly pet. That would be a pekin or muscovy.
Aside from that these are wonderful little ducks to add to any pond. Easy to care for, good layers and setters, and smart.
I would love to have the privilege of having them again.
Though the pullets where larger than the ducks they were afraid of them as they had never seen ducks before. After a while they became indifferent to the ducks existence. The ducks would pull on the tails of the pullets if the pullets came too close to their water bath and bowl and food. It wasn't anything serious and the pullets were more annoyed than frightened or in pain. They grew really fast and didn't run from us. The mallards would walk a couple of paces away but they were not afraid and wouldn't run. Mallards are known for being skittish and untame but I was pleased that my ducks were semi-tame with minimal handling. They did not enjoy being held but would come to our hands for treats. They loved to eat baby feeder goldfish as a treat. we would sit beside them and stroke them as they chased after the fish and eat them. They would even eat the fish out of our hands and would go towards our hands if they couldn't catch the fish, They were trying to tell us to catch them for them. The ducks were much smarter than my hens. When the guineas would sound the alarm when they saw a hawk the ducks would fly for cover, whereas the hens would just freeze and stare into the sky. They never flew away. They would fly lapse around my yard but never flew away. They are not noisy compared to other ducks I have kept. Their loudest noise was a cackle the female would occasional do and was nothing compared to the chickens egg song.
The female layed beautiful pale green eggs. She layed about 5 times a week. They were larger than the chicken eggs but small for a duck. I will mention again, Mallards are bantam ducks. The female immediately went broody after laying enough eggs. If the hens layed eggs in her nest she would roll them out. She was a dedicated setter and mother.
Now for their cons:
The ducks would see the garden hose left on, on my lawn and waddle over. They loved the clear, crisp, fresh water and would drink it up. They would also tear up and an uproot the grass that was wet. They created muddy pot holes. My lawn looked terrible.
They are Semi-Tame. The reason my brother brought home mallards was because they were small and also because a family friend had raised a single male mallard who was so so tame. My brother expected that he would handle them enough to have them be equally tame but we did not so they werent. These are not the type of ducks you would want as a friendly pet. That would be a pekin or muscovy.
Aside from that these are wonderful little ducks to add to any pond. Easy to care for, good layers and setters, and smart.
I would love to have the privilege of having them again.