Spotted Whistling duck

Whistling-ducks generally do well, either in pens or in a park with access to extensive water area and good natural cover. They are gregarious outside the breeding season, and groups may bully smaller duck species, so should be kept in large areas, in which other birds have room to escape. Most need shelter in severe weather and a well-sheltered pen with frost-free night quarters for winter is suggested, or plenty of ground cover and/or straw to stand on, as they are susceptible to frostbite. They may be kept fully-flighted in aviaries, and have also been kept full-winged in open pens, tending not to wander. Perches should be provided at an appropriate height for pinioned or wing-clipped birds. Commercial pellets and grain are suitable for feeding.

Elevated nest boxes are appreciated by most species, although pinioned birds will use ground-level boxes; boxes may be placed over water or land. Eggs may be incubated by bantams and ducklings may be bantam-reared. Many species have been successfully parent-reared in captivity. Pairs kept isolated and fully flighted in a covered pen, with high-hung nest boxes "seldom fail to rear broods". Whistling-duck species may hybridise In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from combining the qualities of two organisms of different breeds, varieties, species or genera through sexual reproduction. Hybrids In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from combining the qualities of two organisms of different breeds, varieties, species or genera through sexual reproduction. Hybrids are not always intermediates between their parents (such as in blending inheritance), but can show hybrid vigour, sometimes growing larger or taller than either parent. In taxonomy, a key question is how closely related the parent species are. are not always intermediates between their parents (such as in blending inheritance), but can show hybrid vigour, sometimes growing larger or taller than either parent. In taxonomy, a key question is how closely related the parent species are. with one another and therefore should be kept in separate enclosures, and hybridisation has also occasionally been reported with Rosy-billed pochard (Netta peposaca).

Spotted whistling-ducks are not common in collections; they can be aggressive particularly to other whistling-ducks and are one of the least hardy of the whistling ducks.

This species is rarely bred. They may nest in a ground level or raised nest box and usually lay their eggs in May to June.

De ideale relatieve luchtvochtigheid voor het uitbroeden van de meeste watervogeleieren is 55% voor grondbroeders en 40% bij holenbroeders. De temperatuur is meestal 37,4° C. Stel ventilatie in zoals aanbevolen door de fabrikant van de broedmachine. Eieren moeten minimaal 4 keer per dag automatisch of met de hand worden gedraaid. Naarmate de vrucht zich ontwikkelt, verliest het ei water en wordt de luchtzak groter. Bij normale ontwikkeling van een ei met een incubatietijd van 28-31 dagen neemt de luchtzak ongeveer een derde van het ei in beslag, dit bij drie dagen voor uitkomst. Reinheid is van vitaal belang en idealiter moet de luchtvochtigheid worden verhoogd tot 65% nadat de eerste tekenen van uitkomst zichtbaar worden.