clipping wings

[taytes]

I have a mallard and a muscovy
Both free roam when we are here(fenced back yard)and are locked in their pen at night or we aren't home. Recently the mallard has been flying around the backyard. Today she was missing and we found her down the street playing in a neighbors yard in a mud puddle. Took about 40 minutes but finally got her back home. Should we clip her wings? Since she knows she can fly will this emotionally hurt her? Our muscovy only flies a few feet at a time. Should he be clipped also? I'm worried about them flying away and getting killed

 

[Alexandra33]

From my experience, it is always a good idea to clip Mallards' wings, since they are a wild breed and will not miss an opportunity to fly away for a little "trip". I have three (a drake and two females) whose wings are clipped, and although they cannot actually leave, they can still fly about 10-11 ft. around the yard. Believe it or not, one of the girls flew over our 4 ft. fence this morning!

I have never had a Muscovy, but from my understanding they are a large breed, and if he can only fly a little bit, I probably wouldn't bother to clip his wings. My Buff duck weighs approximately 7-8 lbs. and the Khaki Campbells weigh around 6 lbs., and I don't mess with their flight feathers because they almost certainly are not able to leave me. However, you do whatever gives you peace of mind, and if clipping your Muscovy's primaries accomplishes that, then by all means see to it.

Best wishes with your ducks!

-Alexandra33