First mating season

[Adunmyer]

New duck owner here! I have two female Mallards and one Drake. This will be their first mating season. I’m extremely nervous about this, as I’ve read so many horrifying stories. For a few days my One female was picking on the other female, I’m sure showing her dominance. They seem to be back to normal today. But my question is on nights where it gets really cold I do put them in a doghouse. Is that safe to do during mating season?

 

[Ratchnick]

You don't have a coop?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

they’ll most likely be fine during mating, but they won’t be fine if a predator gets them in the dog house (they need a coop nothing can get into through the door, flying, digging, climbing, etc)

 

[Adunmyer]

They have a coop, dog house is in the coop. They are completely safe from predators 24/7. I just worry about my girls trapped in the house with the male. Didnt know if they would be safe or hurt eachother

 

[Adunmyer]

Dog house is in the back corner.

 

[TomCahalan]

By "really cold", what do you mean? Ducks are perfectly happy living outside in below-freezing temperatures.

 

[Adunmyer]

Ok - I read they are ok up to 20° then have to watch for frostbitten feet. They have plenty of straw down in the run and access to the house of they want in. But I’ve been putting them in the house at night when it got around 20s

 

[AvianBrain]

View attachment 2413684
Dog house is in the back corner.

Hello, may I ask if you know what hatchery your mallards are from, yours seem to have a good coloring on them. I have been considering having a Mallard breeding flock, and I want to find some wild quality colored lines because my mallard hen I have has Dark Coloration.