Call ducks free range? Pens?

[vermont chick]

I have call ducks and other ducks. My regular ducks just free range and they have such a happy little life. These call ducklings are 4 weeks old now and I am amazed by how small they are! I am also worried about predators like hawks and even the barn cats roaming around and getting at my calls. Do they somehow manage to keep themselves safe during the day or should I just keep them in a pen. I hate to pen them, but I don’t want them to be someone’s lunch!

 

[kandyg_99]

Have You Had Call Ducks Before? Call Ducks Can & Will Fly. Also I'd Be Worried About Predators Eating Them...

 

[vermont chick]

Yeah I was reading about someone who lets her call ducks out and lets them keep their wings and they come back at night. But I just can’t imagine that the predators wouldn’t get them they’re so little. I can’t clip their wings and let them out they have nothing to protect themselves.

 

[kandyg_99]

Okay I Was Just Saying I Would Hate For Them To Be Eaten By Anything...Or Worse Fly Away & Never See Them Again...

 

[Isaac 0]

I have call ducks and other ducks. My regular ducks just free range and they have such a happy little life. These call ducklings are 4 weeks old now and I am amazed by how small they are! I am also worried about predators like hawks and even the barn cats roaming around and getting at my calls. Do they somehow manage to keep themselves safe during the day or should I just keep them in a pen. I hate to pen them, but I don’t want them to be someone’s lunch!

I free range all my birds, during the day, and in my experience Calls are the first to be taken, I accept the losses each year which averages around (2-4), if you can't, build them a secure pen so predators can't get them,

 

[vermont chick]

Okay I Was Just Saying I Would Hate For Them To Be Eaten By Anything...Or Worse Fly Away & Never See Them Again...

Totally! I definitely want to be responsible with them. Thanks for your input!

 

[vermont chick]

I free range all my birds, during the day, and in my experience Calls are the first to be taken, I accept the losses each year which averages around (2-4), if you can't, build them a secure pen so predators can't get them,

Thank you for responding! My pen is solid, it’s just the free range daytime hours I’m worried about. Do you clip your call’s wings?

 

[Isaac 0]

Thank you for responding! My pen is solid, it’s just the free range daytime hours I’m worried about. Do you clip your call’s wings?

No, I've always thought that'd make them more prone,

 

[Going Quackers]

You can but it raises the risk through the roof on them not living. They are small and more prone to various predators. To be honest even the larger ducks themselves can be overly aggressive with the wee things.

My favorite pen is a dog run, with a net. I leave all my calls full flight just in case. Gives them some ability to get away if need be.

 

[vermont chick]

No, I've always thought that'd make them more prone,

That’s what I was thinking as well.

You can but it raises the risk through the roof on them not living. They are small and more prone to various predators. To be honest even the larger ducks themselves can be overly aggressive with the wee things.

My favorite pen is a dog run, with a net. I leave all my calls full flight just in case. Gives them some ability to get away if need be.

Ok
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Maybe this is a silly question, but what do you mean by a net?