Even though the whole flock is kept in a cage, mandarin ducks always sleep in pairs. They stick together in pairs and never leave each other.

As a farm that owns a rare wild duck species that is unique in Vietnam, Mr. Tran Nhu Giap – Owner of the breeding and conservation farm of Viet Bird Garden in Dong My commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi, said that mandarin ducks Most of them belong to the immigrant stream, originating from cold countries such as Russia and China. The male (often called the yen) has colorful feathers, red eyes and beak. The female’s (also known as the female)’s coat color is not as beautiful as the male’s.

Mr. Giap’s pair of precious mandarin ducks were offered tens of millions of dong by many rich people, but he did not want to sell them yet.

Mr. Giap said that mandarin ducks have only been introduced to Vietnam for a few years now. This type of poultry quickly created a fever in the pet hobby world. However, because of its uniqueness, strangeness, and rarity, mandarin ducks are quite expensive. On average, a couple’s price ranges from a few million to tens of millions of dong. In particular, there are pairs of beautiful ducks with unique colors that can be sold for 20 – 25 million VND. Although the price is high, this duck species is quite rare in Vietnam and has not been widely bred in the wild. Therefore, owning a pair of mandarin ducks is not an easy task.

Also according to Mr. Giap, the process to raise mandarin ducks in pure water environment in Vietnam and the breeding process takes a long time and is very difficult. The farm must always maintain a number of around 50 animals to maintain the breed. Young mandarin ducks are born thanks to modern incubator technology.

“With the current supply not meeting demand, it is difficult for rich people with a lot of money to own the couple they want” – Mr. Giap shared.

Mandarin ducks are being raised at the Vietnamese Bird Garden breeding and conservation farm of Mr. Tran Nhu Giap. Mr. Giap said that this duck species does not require too much care, but because it is a wild duck, it needs to be carefully fenced when raised.

This rare duck species has very colorful colors…

…and often eat and sleep in pairs very affectionately

When the female is incubating, the new couple is temporarily separated and quickly returns when the female duck’s incubation period is over. “A female is only faithful to a male. Therefore, it is considered by hobbyists as a symbol of happiness. Guests playing mandarin ducks often play in pairs, one cock, one hen, symbolizing a married couple” – Mr. Giap revealed.

Mr. Giap said: Due to the natural characteristics of mandarin ducks, they can fly and breed in wooded areas near ponds, shallow lakes, and swamps. Therefore, hobbyists do not keep them in hanging cages but are only suitable for miniature tanks, villas or garden houses. Villas with large gardens, landscapes, waterfalls built like rockeries or ponds will be suitable for raising ducks.