devistated: my mallard is gone :(

[Miss Lydia]

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I was thinking the same thing,I have Muscovies and they fly well. where we live is very wooded and there is a river down below our home, where owls and hawks and all kinds of predators like to hang out so the get their wings clipped. I think they love to fly and once they take off no tellin where they will land and might not be able to find their way back, I don't want to take that chance. I hope she comes home, I like the idea xke4 has.

 

[mystkblu]

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Not meaning to contradict you Miss Lydia - I suspect it's an issue of environment - but that is exactly the reason I don't clip wings on any of my birds. Even my Cockatiel who doesn't ever go outside. If he got out of his aviary in the house he'd have a chance of getting away from my cats. We have hawks, eagles, owls, weasels, skunks, snakes, badgers, raccoons, fox, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, etc etc - my guys need every opportunity to get away that nature afforded them, beyond all the measures I've taken to keep the predators off my property. Granted I live way the heck out on the backside of the boonies, but in my experience a flightless bird is an even greater target to predators - especially birds of prey. I've seen my chix and ducks outmaneuver diving red tails and golden eagles on the ground because they had the ability to launch and swerve out of the way into safety. It's no way a guarantee - I've lost many that couldn't get out of the way. I understand the reasoning for clipping wings, especially if you live in an urban environment. But everyone needs to manage their flocks in the manner that is best suited for their environment, health and well being. Mickeymousears lost a baby and she's hurting - there is no need to make things worse by implying she might have done something wrong in her duck management by not clipping wings.

 

[mickeymousears]

Omg I wish that was my mallard but I'm in california.

I didn't clip her wings because they live outside and if she needed to fly away from danger I wanted her to be able to - I felt it was like declawing an outdoor cat.

I actually was thinking of walking my ducks around to see if she called back. I just couldn't figure out the logistics without carrying 15 pounds of wiggling duck all over town. Do you think 4 days later is to late?? I've been leaving them in their coop for an extra hour cause they complain the whole time-i thought she might follow the sound back. Thanks for the suggestion!!

 

[mickeymousears]

I live in san Luis obispo california- if you don't know the town- its a college party town-suburban. So there isn't a ton or wildlife except for the occasional bear or mountain lion that comes down out of the hills. I was more afraid it was the crazy college kid neighbors doing something that scared them. Which is why I was thinking she's out there somewhere.

 

[agregg15]

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I hope you find her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Not meaning to contradict you Miss Lydia - I suspect it's an issue of environment - but that is exactly the reason I don't clip wings on any of my birds. Even my Cockatiel who doesn't ever go outside. If he got out of his aviary in the house he'd have a chance of getting away from my cats. We have hawks, eagles, owls, weasels, skunks, snakes, badgers, raccoons, fox, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, etc etc - my guys need every opportunity to get away that nature afforded them, beyond all the measures I've taken to keep the predators off my property. Granted I live way the heck out on the backside of the boonies, but in my experience a flightless bird is an even greater target to predators - especially birds of prey. I've seen my chix and ducks outmaneuver diving red tails and golden eagles on the ground because they had the ability to launch and swerve out of the way into safety. It's no way a guarantee - I've lost many that couldn't get out of the way. I understand the reasoning for clipping wings, especially if you live in an urban environment. But everyone needs to manage their flocks in the manner that is best suited for their environment, health and well being. Mickeymousears lost a baby and she's hurting - there is no need to make things worse by implying she might have done something wrong in her duck management by not clipping wings.

I am truly sorry if I offened anyone especially Mickeymousers, Before I clipped wings my girls flew off one day, they were gone for 2 days, they were only down at the river, but between us and the river is woods and I think they got disoreinted and didn't know how to get home. All three are white so you know how they must have stuck out like a sore thumb. glowed in the dark probably. lol anyway we were finally able to herd them in the right direction and bring them home. I think the love of flying probably gets them in trouble because after they land they have no idea where they are. This was shortly after we had gotten them, so they were'nt familiar with the area. I have had ducks for 7 years and after this incident I clip everyones wing after molt. Thank God I haven't lost a one to a predator. I just feel for their own safety they need to stay grounded and home. Please accept my apology if I said anything to hurt anyone. I really do hope your girl comes home

 

[mickeymousears]

I wasn't offended- just informing. My Cockatiel has had his wings clipped since he's had feathers so I'm not opposed to wing clipping- I feel clipping is a decision to be made in each situation. My ducks/chickens run free in the backyard so I feel they need every opportunity to save themselves should the need arise. My tiel roams the house where his biggest danger is not getting his tail bit by a rude bunny. So its safer for him to not fly and therefore his wings are clipped.

 

[mickeymousears]

Update: still no mallard. But driving home today I happened to glance over at the middle school football field and saw what looked like a lone duck in the middle of the field. When I drove by again a few hours later it was gone (so it wasn't a rock or sprinkler). I told my husband and he said he notice the same thing on the golf course (these places are only a few blocks from my house in opposite directions). So MAYBE (I hope I hope I hope). I'm going to visit these places tomorrow and have a look. And a friend told me of a marsh land not far from my house (I didn't even know it was there). So I might pack the other 2 ducks in a box and take a little drive (I need a duck stroller!). I just find it odd-if it is her- she had to get really close to the house to fly between these 2 places so why didn't she just come home?? Guess I should have taught her to stay put if your ever lost!

 

[Miss Lydia]

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Oh my I hope thats her and you can bring her home.

Just wanted to say you are right, every persons situation is different, where we live is very wooded and if my ducks were to fly away they would have to be directly over our home to see it [so many trees] my ducks and chickens free range everyday and I still clip wings [ducks only] but I think alot of the reason we haven't had any loss is because I have 4 dogs and they pretty much keep most preds away. I sure hope you can find her and get her home. We have wild mallards that pass through our area and they are so pretty.

 

[mystkblu]

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I am so sorry! I didn't mean to imply that your comment in particular offended!

My comment was directed at clipping wings in general and that it may make her feel bad if she hadn't clipped. I do apologize. I am new to the forum and forget that I need to apply a filter between my brain and fingertips when replying!