Catching free range ducks

[GAduckies]

We raised 15 ducklings last year and unfortunately we've ended up with more drakes than females. It wasn't a huge problem until now when spring has arrived in GA and 2 of our preferred females are getting overrated. The small alpha Pekin is actually even mounting other drakes. I have someone who wants to adopt 4 of my drakes but I'm having trouble catching them. My ducks free range on a 2 acre lake. They have a floating coop they sleep in at night but as soon as they hear or see me enter the water at night to pen them in, they head for the water. The 2 overbred females are the only 2 I can touch or that will eat out of my hands and I already have separated them before they are injured.

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

We raised 15 ducklings last year and unfortunately we've ended up with more drakes than females. It wasn't a huge problem until now when spring has arrived in GA and 2 of our preferred females are getting overrated. The small alpha Pekin is actually even mounting other drakes. I have someone who wants to adopt 4 of my drakes but I'm having trouble catching them. My ducks free range on a 2 acre lake. They have a floating coop they sleep in at night but as soon as they hear or see me enter the water at night to pen them in, they head for the water. The 2 overbred females are the only 2 I can touch or that will eat out of my hands and I already have separated them before they are injured.

Try setting a type of trap or have someone else with you when penning them up so they can catch them when they dive out.

 

[chickens really]

Long nets and if water is open a boat will help.

 

[DuckyDonna]

We raised 15 ducklings last year and unfortunately we've ended up with more drakes than females. It wasn't a huge problem until now when spring has arrived in GA and 2 of our preferred females are getting overrated. The small alpha Pekin is actually even mounting other drakes. I have someone who wants to adopt 4 of my drakes but I'm having trouble catching them. My ducks free range on a 2 acre lake. They have a floating coop they sleep in at night but as soon as they hear or see me enter the water at night to pen them in, they head for the water. The 2 overbred females are the only 2 I can touch or that will eat out of my hands and I already have separated them before they are injured.

where are you in Georgia? I might be able to help if you're near me.

 

[GAduckies]

where are you in Georgia? I might be able to help if you're near me.

I'm in Harris County, just outside of Columbus.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I'm in Harris County, just outside of Columbus.

that's about a couple hours. I was hoping for closer but if you need me to drive down one day to help I certainly can be!

 

[LilyLoo]

We raised 15 ducklings last year and unfortunately we've ended up with more drakes than females. It wasn't a huge problem until now when spring has arrived in GA and 2 of our preferred females are getting overrated. The small alpha Pekin is actually even mounting other drakes. I have someone who wants to adopt 4 of my drakes but I'm having trouble catching them. My ducks free range on a 2 acre lake. They have a floating coop they sleep in at night but as soon as they hear or see me enter the water at night to pen them in, they head for the water. The 2 overbred females are the only 2 I can touch or that will eat out of my hands and I already have separated them before they are injured.

Is there anyway to rig up a trap door to the floating coop without risk of any injuries? A long line you could trigger or pull from across water? Or even use females as bait in a closer safer trap area?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Do you feed the ducks? Can you lure them into an enclosure and close the door?

If I was doing this (assuming no nearby buildings) I'd put down some corn in a pan and let them eat it for about a week. Then I'd enclose the area with chicken wire. Let them get used to that. When they've settled down for that, close the chicken wire, step in, and grab. But my ducks are relatively large and pretty hopeless flyers.