Notes on Breeding of Mallard Ducks

There are two main approaches to domesticating mallard ducks. The first involves capturing wild ducks and gradually taming them. It's most effective to collect wild duck eggs directly from the wild, allowing the ducklings to hatch naturally. Once captured, the mallards should have their flight feathers on both wings clipped in an uneven manner to prevent them from flying effectively. This helps maintain control while still keeping them in a net enclosure. Regular checks of the wings are necessary to ensure no large feathers regrow, which could allow escape. After 5-6 generations of domestication, wild ducks begin to lose their natural instincts, showing traits more similar to domestic ducks—such as a wobbly gait, thicker legs, irregular white necks, increased body fat, and reduced lean meat quality. These changes make them less desirable for breeding or meat production, so it's advisable to eliminate them after this period and either recapture new wild ducks or collect fresh wild eggs for hatching. Wild ducks that are newly caught often struggle with indoor environments, displaying aggressive behavior, poor appetite, and even death. Therefore, using wild eggs for hatching is generally more successful and easier for long-term domestication. The second method involves selecting ducks from already domesticated populations. When choosing males and females, it's essential to ensure they meet the breed’s specific characteristics. Males should have vibrant plumage, be robust and strong, with a well-proportioned body, lively demeanor, and good fertility. They should also have large eyes, a full body, and a wide pubic bone space during laying. Females must be healthy, with strong foraging abilities and a balanced sex ratio of 1:7–8 for optimal breeding. Ducks selected for breeding are typically kept for 2–3 years. Mallard ducks share similar breeding principles with other waterfowl, but they have unique characteristics. Their breeding season is highly seasonal, with the primary egg-laying period between March and June, and a secondary peak from September to November. About 70–80% of annual eggs are laid during the first peak, and these eggs have high fertilization and hatching rates. The second peak contributes around 30% of the total eggs, with most eggs being laid between 4 and 8 a.m. Mallards reach sexual maturity at around 150 days of age, with females starting to lay eggs at 150–160 days. Annual egg production ranges from 100 to 150 eggs, sometimes exceeding 200. Eggs are typically blue-green in color and weigh between 55–65 grams. The male-to-female ratio is usually 1:7–8, and the fertility and hatching rates can reach 85–90%. Mating occurs frequently, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, with the highest activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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