Native North American duck. Ancestor of most strains of domesticated ducks (Muscovy excepted). Permit may be required to release. Often raised for ponds and ornamental waterfowl. FastPoultry takes free quote requests for Mallard as day-old ducklings, adult birds, and breeder pairs and matches each one with NPIP-certified breeders within 1 business day.
The Mallard is the ancestor of most strains of domesticated ducks and one of the most abundant ducks in the world. The Audubon Field Guide gives a clutch of 7 to 13 eggs, incubated 23 to 30 days, and a first flight at 52 to 60 days. It also notes that wild North American Mallards are probably all migratory, while feral flocks may stay year-round.
| Domestic link | Ancestor of most strains of domesticated ducks |
|---|---|
| Length and weight | 20 to 26 in; 2 lb to 3 lb 8 oz |
| Clutch | 7 to 13 whitish to olive buff eggs |
| Incubation | 23 to 30 days, by the female |
| First flight | 52 to 60 days |
| Diet | Omnivorous; mostly seeds, stems, and roots, plus insects and small aquatic animals |
| Status | One of the most abundant ducks in the world; least concern |
Native and wild-type game birds can need state or federal permits. See the FastPoultry legal guide before you buy.
Source: Audubon Field Guide, Mallard species account, read 2026-10-08. Individual lines and strains vary, so ask each breeder about their own stock.
| Origin | Northern hemisphere - wild type |
|---|---|
| Eggs per year | ~80 |
| Egg color | Greenish-white |
| Egg size | Medium |
Best for: ornamental, pond, wing-clipped pets
You can request Mallard through FastPoultry, which matches buyer requests with breeders. Choose from 3 request pages for day-old ducklings, adult birds, and breeder pairs, then tell us your quantity, preferred age, and delivery state in the form on this page. Matched breeder options arrive within 1 business day, and you arrange payment, pickup, or shipping directly with the breeder you choose.
Prices for Mallard are set by each breeder and change with season, line quality, age, and quantity, so FastPoultry does not publish a fixed price. Submitting a request is free. Matched breeders reply with current pricing, and you should ask whether the quote includes boxing, shipping, and vaccinations before you pay the breeder directly.
The Audubon Field Guide lists incubation of 23 to 30 days for Mallard eggs, with the female doing all of the incubating. A clutch is 7 to 13 whitish to olive buff eggs. The female leads the ducklings from the nest within a day of hatching, the young feed themselves, and first flight comes at 52 to 60 days, so plan pen covers before then if you want to keep them.
A Mallard hen lays roughly 80 eggs a year, and the eggs are medium and greenish-white. Real production depends on strain, hen age, season, and daylight, so ask breeders about the laying record of their parent stock. The Mallard breed profile on this page lists egg color, size, and laying details alongside care and space notes.
The Mallard can be requested as day-old ducklings, adult birds, and breeder pairs. Day-old birds ship USPS Express and need a 95 F brooder ready on arrival. Adults are proven layers or show birds at point of lay or beyond. Breeder pairs are proven, compatible stock for starting your own breeding program. Pick the age that matches your brooding setup and how soon you want eggs or breeding stock.
The USDA NPIP state importation table (May 20, 2026) lists VS Form 9-3 as required for shipments into 44 of 50 states, and 31 states list a permit, approval number, or other entry requirement, so check your state's location page before you order. VS Form 9-3 is the NPIP report of sales that the shipping breeder completes, and some states add a permit number, a Pullorum-Typhoid or avian influenza clean-flock rule, or a health certificate. FastPoultry does not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands through standard requests.
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