Wild Ducks
compared to
Domestic ducks
Wild ducks differ from domestic ducks in many ways. The article below touches on some of the many differences.
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It is especially important for the beginner to understand that wild ducks do not typically behave like domestic ducks such as calls or mallards. Wild ducks are much more nervous and often stress out easily thus they may not be able to live in the same conditions that have worked well for you with domestic ducks.
Domestic ducks may do well in and enclosure with just walls and a kiddie pool, this would not be a suitable set up for wild birds. In general wild ducks need more of an environment to thrive.
​Listed below are some things that are helpful in wild waterfowl enclosures that may or may not be needed for domestic birds.
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Site barriers on the sides of the enclosure (this helps keep the birds calm)
Hiding spots were birds can get completely out of site if they wish.
A pond large enough for the birds to comfortably swim, preen and bathe in.
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It should also be noted here Wild ducks do not need any type of housing to sleep in, and often if a structure is provide the birds will not use it except to hide in.
The picture to the left shows a suitable habitat for wild waterfowl.
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Unlike domestic ducks most wild waterfowl only nest and lay eggs at one time of year, for most species this is Spring. Domestic ducks may also lay the majority of their eggs in the Spring, but will also lay sporadically through Summer, Fall and sometimes even though Winter thus producing many more eggs in a year than the ornamental duck, which may only produce a handful of offspring in a year. To reproduce often domestic ducks require little more than food to eat water to drink and some nesting material. Wild ducks are much much more picky, if their habitat is not to to their liking they will not reproduce.
Domestic ducks can be kept in small groups, one drake with several hens, and still produce a good percentage of fertile eggs. For most wild ducks it is recommended to keep them in pairs, as the drake will usually only mate with one female at a time.
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The eggs of domestic birds are generally much easier to hatch in the incubator that that of wild ducks. It should also be noted here that eggs and ducklings of wild birds are not commonly sold like those of domestic birds a separate article on this can be found here.
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Most domestic ducklings are easy to raise, and will begin eating without any special care. Many ornamental species are more delicate and can be difficult to raise from ducklings in particular it can be hard to get them to eat. Sale of ducklings or very young birds is common for domestic birds, it would be extremely rare to find ducklings in wild species for sale since most could not survive transportation.
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Domestic ducks usually will stay around pretty well if kept on open water and left fullwinged. Wild ducks almost always will fly away and not return if given the chance. If you want to keep wild ducks free range we recommend purchasing pinioned birds (permanently flightless).
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Domestic ducks such as calls are often shown and make great 4-H projects for kids. In my opinion the typical wild duck is to nervous for the show environment and would not do well there. Such an environment can even be hazardous to the birds health. Also to my knowledge their are no standards for wood ducks, mandarins or other wild birds. So I am not sure how they would be judged.
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Domestic ducks are often kept as pets, and can become very tame, they may learn to follow you around, eat from your hand, maybe even climb into your lap, these are not behaviors that should be expected of ornamental/ wild ducks. Wild ducks, even though they may be many generations removed from the wild, still retain many of their wild instincts and will view you as a predator. With alot of time and patience they can become accustomed to you, and may eventfully learn to be less fearful and act naturally in your presence, but most will never like to be handled, or pursued in any way. Excessive handling can be harmful to the health of wild birds and can even result in death. We never catch or handle any of our wild birds unless it is absolutely necessary.
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