Clipping duck feathers??

[crashley]

My Rouen is 3 months old and has flown over our fence twice! I'm concerned that we'll loose her or a neighbor dog will get her. When can I clip her wings? Is she still too young? I don't want to hurt her!

 

[TLWR]

How tall is your fence?
Are you sure you have a rouen and not a mallard?

Rouens are a pretty heavy breed and should have issues flying, especially over a fence.


Metzer Farms suggests waiting until 15 weeks for ducks so they have adult feathers, but I'm guessing you can clip early and just might have to do it again once they finish molting.

 

[Duck Drover]

You can clip as soon as the flight feathers are grown in and the blood has receeded from them. Do not clip blood feathers. If you look at the base of the feather shaft it should be white before clipping the feather or the feather will bleed.