So, I bought 2 Khaki Campbell and what I thought were 2 Rouen ducklings at the feed store a while back. I lost one of the supposed Rouens to a drowning incident and was left with just the 2 Khakis and the one 'Rouen' girl. Only now I am suspecting that my Rouen is actually a mallard. She doesn't look all fat like the pics I've seen of Rouens and what I've read says that they can't fly either. Well, the Khakis definitely can't fly, but I just watched my little 'rouen' girl take off and fly around the barnyard about 15 or 20 feet off the ground for a good minute or two before she decided to land back with her friends!
So, I guess that means that she is really a mallard...the question is, should I clip her wings to stop the flying?
On the one hand, I thought maybe she would be safer from predators if she can fly to safety, on the other, I am worried that she might fly away some day.
Right now they all free-range on my 5 acres (mostly staying on the acre right around the house) and then the ducks are penned in a dog crate at night near the fence where the LGD sleeps (extra predator protection).
So, I guess that means that she is really a mallard...the question is, should I clip her wings to stop the flying?
On the one hand, I thought maybe she would be safer from predators if she can fly to safety, on the other, I am worried that she might fly away some day.
Right now they all free-range on my 5 acres (mostly staying on the acre right around the house) and then the ducks are penned in a dog crate at night near the fence where the LGD sleeps (extra predator protection).