Free Range Ducks

I am a very protective duck mom, so I have my ducks in a day pen when I am not right with them.  Together, we ramble around our little acre of woods and gardens, and have a blast!  But when I am not there, they are in a fenced area (top, bottom, sides) with swim pan, water, food, grit, shelter and bedding.

Got any pics?

Your mileage will vary on the answer to this. We free range our ducks daily and then lock them in a barn at night to avoid the pesky jerks who want duck dinner.

Now, i do have a hen and her week old in a pen for safety sake. We originally started penning them and herding them back to the barn, this eventually led to just letting them go, they herd back into the barn @ nightfall ...

Ours free range all day however they are adults 3-4 years old. This year was the first year of a terrible attack during the day from a Eagle we lost 3 of our hens. I still am free ranging but they have now stuck much closer to home then wondering so far off on our farm. As for young ones how old are you talking? I just bought 5 month old hens 3 to replace the ones we lost and they are fine  out with the rest.

They learned with in 3 days of herding them into there shelter at night to just go into it once night falls and they have kept this up every night.

I would just be prepared that you might lose some if they free range thats just what you give for them being  able to wonder the property freely.

Whether or not you can free range depends upon what predators you have in your area.  Ducks are tasty and unable to defend themselves.