The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: sokel on October 13, 2013, 09:41:50 pm
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Having problems with mallards at the moment We let the ducks out every morning and they usually go onto the river for a bit then just potter around but over the last week the mallard drake population has grown to 11,
They have suddenly started to gang up on our large white crested drake who is a bit of a wimp anyway.
They either chase him down stream and won't let him come back up or he ends up sitting under the overhang of the river bank and won't come out
They don't bother the call drake but he does chase them away from his wife
Any suggestions as I think it's just getting worse by the day In fact today I had to carry him back upstream to put him to bed
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do mallards taste good?
what's the law on shooting them?
poor Cresty!!!
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That thought has entered my head especially as one of them is probably the one that gave me a black eye !
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Mallard taste very good, they are also very dominant , put them in the freezer and save yourself a whole load of hassle,
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We had one that decided the chicken coop was his and for his use only. Tried releasing him all over the surrounding countryside but he kept coming back. Tasted lovely.
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I think they are known for being bullies. I agree with the eat them camp!! Cherry sauce, mmmm :thumbsup:
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So what is the law on killing mallards ? at the moment they are keeping away from the river as its in full flood and we are having to keep our ducks in but I am sure once the river goes down they will be back out of the fields
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You can shoot them in season which for England Scotland and Wales is the same - Sept 1 to Jan 31.
ETA Mallard are listed among the species of duck which can be shot during this period.
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Thanks, when the river goes down and they come back down ::)
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I know I started this thread a year ago but its that time of year again
The Mallards are back in force and eating us out of house and Home.
can you imagine how much feed 22 Mallards pinch in a day :-\
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Yes I can, I think they'd be in my freezer by now if it were me! :innocent:
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I'm another one that would shoot them and put them in the freezer. It's duck shooting season so fill your boots (or freezer)!
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I have to agree with shooting them. The cost for the feed is justification alone. Any attempt to scare them away will frighten your ducks though. I'd use a silenced air rifle and pick them off with a head shot. I my experience Mallard tastes lovely. But I don't know about older ones, they may be a bit tough.
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I have to agree with shooting them. The cost for the feed is justification alone. Any attempt to scare them away will frighten your ducks though. I'd use a silenced air rifle and pick them off with a head shot. I my experience Mallard tastes lovely. But I don't know about older ones, they may be a bit tough.
There is 1 or 2 that are older Birds but most of them are actually this years birds. we picked a few off last year and will be picking a few off very soon.
Chickens are having to be fed inside and the ducks are hardly getting anything because the Mallards are taking it all. we are using 3 bags of wheat and a bag of layers a week :o