Hottentot Teal

Dabbling Ducks are generally hardy, easy to maintain and easy to breed. Shelter may be required by some of the smaller species in winter. They should be provided with cover (including marginal pond cover) and loafing areas as well as water. A pen which is 50% water is suggested. The water may be shallow (i.e. no more than two feet deep is required), and muddy areas for dabbling in are also appreciated. These ducks are generally good in mixed collections, although the smaller and quieter species may be bullied. Territorial disputes between ducks of the same species may be avoided by keeping only one pair of each species in an enclosure, unless the area is very large. For a single pair of ducks a pen are of 50 to 100 square metres, depending on the size of duck, should be provided.

A diet based on wheat and pellets is suggested, with maintenance pellets changed to breeders pellets for the breeding season. Bread and greenfood are also appreciated. Grit should always be available, with soluble grit (e.g. oystershell grit) as a calcium source when breeding.

Most species are ground nesters and both close ground cover and ground level nest boxes should be provided. Hand-rearing is generally preferred, as these ducks are generally poor parents in captive conditions, particularly in enclosures shared with other waterfowl. These ducks are prone to hybridization, particularly with closely related species, which should be kept apart from one another.

Generally hardy and easy to manage. Sunny, sheltered enclosures suggested, with winter shelter; warmer winter quarters may be required in cold climates. Feed as other dabbling ducks: graint, pellets, greenfood, grass, appreciate duckweed and floating aquatic vegetation.

Require a quiet secluded pen for breeding, with no competition; plenty of ground cover should be provided for nesting as well as both ground level and elevated nest boxes. If kept in the open, eggs may be laid in summer, e.g. July, or earlier e.g. April to May. May be parent or broody reared, although hand-rearing has been recommended, as the ducklings require much warmth.

Hybrids reported with Silver teal (Anas versicolor) and Wood duck (Aix sponsa).

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 24-27 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.