Are my ducks going to leave me ?

[Crickett]

I have two mallard hens. When it comes time for migration and stuff, are they going to leave to seek mates? Or will they stay here at home? They are beautiful girls, and while I would like them to breed, I don't want to lose them! If they do leave, will they come back? This is my first time having ducks, so I'm not sure. I've raised them from two week old ducklings.

 

[Dar]

This is a great question and I have been wondering the same thing myself.

and if the answer is yes they will leave, will they come back to me? (I know canadian geese will come back to the same location year after year).

If I pen my ducks to keep them from flying off will this harm them?

 

[hikerchick]

Well, gee, I was wondering how I would pay for feed all winter without all of the wonderful compensatory eggs. Also, I was worried about how I could possibly provide enough fresh, unfrozen water for them all winter long. so, if they go on vacation and come back in the spring, I have no problem with that.

 

[GrannySue]

I think that if the ducklings came from a hatchery they're most likely the domesticated type of Mallard so that the migration instinct has been bred out of them.
If they were "drop ins" i.e. if they just showed up one day as adults, then they just might hear the call of the wild as other flocks fly overhead.

 

[streemers]

if you dont want them to fly off then clip their wings. i dont know if they will migrate but if they do then 95%they will come back.

 

[Riven]

I've had call ducks migrate. One hen came back the next spring for about a week, then left, haven't seen any of them again.

When you pay a good price for ducks I'd not want them migrating, they can easily be killed by a predator or shot by a hunter.

 

[Crickett]

My DH bought them as a surprise for me from the flea market. Thus far they have not attempted to fly, but then there haven't been any wild ducks flying over either. Maybe they think they are chickens that can swim? They go in the chicken coop at night with the others. If I clip their wings, how do I need to go about it?

 

[Riven]

Clipping wings is easy and painless when done correctly, I don't have a link but I'm sure there is one here, or a page about it!

I have had a chicken accidentally fall in and take a swim... they actually swim a lot better than I thought they would! Luckily I had the net in my hand ( trying to catch my silly little cochin ) and scooped her out... maybe she thought she was a duck!