How to Raise Flying Mallards

The flying mallard might seem to be a self-reliant pet that will essentially take care of itself, but raising flying mallards that have been taken away from their mothers takes a lot of work and care. And, unless your backyard has a pond that is completely free of predators, even adult flying mallards require quite a bit of maintenance. There are many instances in which improper care could have fatal consequences for your pet flying mallard.

Things You'll Need

  • Cage
  • Floor padding
  • Artificial heat source
  • Water
  • Vegetable greens
  • Gamebird starter feed
  • Gamebird grower feed
  • Children's wading pool
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Instructions

  1. Flying Mallard Ducklings

    • 1

      Get more than one duckling, because flying mallards are very social, and will be unhappy by themselves.

    • 2

      Spend a considerable amount of time with your ducklings for the first few weeks so they get used to you. Get your ducklings as soon after they are born as possible, or even the extensive time you spend with them will not completely dissuade their natural fear of humans.

    • 3

      Keep the ducklings in an indoor cage with grass padding or a comparable material.

    • 4

      Put an artificial heat source in the cage. Set the temperature to 90 degrees initially. Reduce the heat gradually after the first week until it is at room temperature.

    • 5

      Move the ducklings outside at two or three weeks in warm weather. Move the ducklings outside by four or five weeks if the weather isn't as nice.

    • 6

      Provide the ducklings with water, but not enough to walk or swim in before the third or fourth week, at which time the ducklings will start producing the oil that waterproofs their feathers.

    • 7

      Feed the ducklings fresh vegetable greens and gamebird starter feed.

    Adult Flying Mallards

    • 8

      Provide adult flying mallards with a cage, unless your yard has a pond free of predators. Make the cage at least 10 square feet per duck.

    • 9

      Give adult flying mallards shelter from sun, rain, snow and hail.

    • 10

      Provide adult flying mallards with water at all times.

    • 11

      Switch flying mallards from gamebird starter feed to gamebird grower feed when they reach five weeks.

    • 12

      Provide adult flying mallards with a place to swim. Buy a children's wading pool if you don't have a pond in your yard.

    • 13

      Take your flying mallards outside every day. Watch for any potential predators.

    • 14

      Clean the flying mallards' cage every couple of days.