What to Know About Hand-Raising Green-Headed Ducks (Mallards)

26 mars 2025

What to Know About Hand-Raising Green-Headed Ducks (Mallards)

Green-headed ducks, often referring to male Mallards, are known for their shimmering emerald head feathers, cheerful quacks, and friendly nature. Hand-raising a Green-headed duck can be a joyful experience—but it also comes with responsibilities that every duck parent should be aware of.

From fuzzy duckling to a proud adult, here’s a complete beginner’s guide to raising a Mallard by hand.

1. Setting Up a Proper Brooder 🐣

The first step to hand-raising a duckling is setting up a safe and warm brooder.

What you need:

A large plastic tub or cardboard box with ventilation
Heat lamp or pad to keep the temperature around 32°C (90°F) for the first week
Non-slip bedding: towels or rubber shelf liners (avoid newspaper or sawdust)
Water bowl (shallow) and small feeder

Ducklings grow fast and are messy—clean daily and change bedding often.

2. Feeding the Duckling Properly 🍽️

Green-headed ducklings need the right diet to grow strong and healthy.

Feed:

Unmedicated chick starter feed (20% protein) mixed with water
Add chopped greens (spinach, lettuce) from week 1
From week 3–4, start adding grains and peas
Use a shallow dish for feeding—never force feed

Tip: Add small pebbles (grit) to help them digest greens.

Avoid bread—it's not good for ducks.

3. Water and Hygiene Are Crucial 💧

Ducks love water, but baby ducklings can drown easily.

Use a very shallow water dish for drinking
No bathtubs or deep water until feathers develop
Always supervise water play
Dry them with a towel if they get wet before full feathering
Change water frequently to avoid bacteria

Water helps with digestion, so never raise ducklings without water access.

4. Bonding and Handling 💞

Hand-raised ducks form strong bonds with their human caregivers.

Start with gentle handling once they are warm and fed
Let them sit on your lap or follow your hand
Talk softly and offer treats from your palm
They love company—never raise a duckling alone if possible

Ducks imprint easily. If you raise them by hand, they may follow you everywhere like a shadow.

5. Outdoor Transition and Exercise 🌿

Once your duckling is 3–4 weeks old and has some feathers, start short trips outside.

Let them walk on grass and explore under supervision
Avoid exposure to predators or cold weather
Always provide shade and a shallow water tray

By 6–8 weeks, your duck will enjoy splashing and waddling freely.

6. Preparing for Adulthood 🦆

An adult Green-headed duck (Mallard drake) needs:

Access to a small pond or tub of water
Open space to forage, walk, and socialize
Shelter from rain, wind, and predators
Daily food (duck pellets, grains, veggies)
Companionship—either human or other ducks

Mallards are friendly, vocal, and active, and will thrive with attention.

7. Legal and Ethical Considerations ⚖️

Check local wildlife laws. In some areas, keeping or releasing Mallards into the wild is illegal.

If you found an abandoned duckling, contact a licensed rehabber or get approval before keeping it.
If bred domestically, Green-headed ducks (such as domestic mallard types) are often legal to raise.

Always raise ducks ethically and responsibly.

Conclusion

Raising a Green-headed duck by hand is more than just giving food—it's about providing warmth, protection, and companionship. They’re loyal, expressive, and full of life.