[HelenVF]

Hi all,


Haven't been on for AGES!, life got in the way.  Anyway, I have admired mandarin ducks for a long time, and have decided that they will be my project for the year. 


OH did wonder if buying eggs and hatching them would be best, but I have read that they aren't the easiest to rear.  I am keen to buy a pair, and possibly let them have a brood this year.  Not sure if this is possible, but am willing to wait a year. 


Anyway, does anyone keep them?  What do you feed them on?  How much space?  How big a pond?  Any photos of set ups would be very much appreciated.


I am starting small but am keen to expand, if all goes to plan and look at other ornamental wildfowl.


Appreciate any help or advice.


Thanks
Helen

[Cheviot]

Hi,
I have 2 pairs of mandarins, lovely little birds, mine are kept in a run 20ft by 10 ft with a mesh roof, the pond is approx 8ft in diameter, and maybe 8 ins deep, there are also a pair of white pheasants in with them, both breeds tend to ignore each other and get on with life.
Mine are fed layers pellets, although I think I may try and get them onto waterfowl breeder pellets if I can find some locally.
I only got my mandarins in Feb last year, and to be honest they didn't really lay that many eggs, I incubated them but only one hatched and then promptly died 2 days later,  mine didn't have the chance to go broody as I took all the eggs from them.
I'm sure you'll enjoy them when you get them.
Regards
Sue

[HelenVF]

Thanks. Valuable advice.


Did you buy them as pairs?


Helen

[Cheviot]

Hi,
Yes I bought them as pairs, at the Feb poultry sale at Carlisle.
One thing you need to be aware of when buying them is that they bond with each other, when I was looking at the birds while at the auction it was obvious that some pairs were not bonded, I don't know if they would have bonded given time or not. The two pairs that I have live together, but they are still two pairs, unlike other ducks which would have mated with other, these stay as pairs.
Regards
Sue

[HelenVF]

Thanks!


Helen