Do ducks need free range time?

[Sjh115]

I am a first time duck owner and have only had my two girls since February, they were adults at the time that I got them. Their pen is a very good size and predator proof. In their pen they have a huge kiddie pool, shelter, a large tub for drinking water, as well as a mirror and balls to prevent boredom. They have 24/7 access to layer pellets as well as a separate tub I fill with mealworms, corn, and greens daily (I pick their favorite kind of weeds from the yard as well as give them occasional kale or cabbage). I have extensively researched ideal duck pens and nutrition but recently I have been wondering if they are missing out by not being free range like our chickens. I have previously tried to let them out of their pen but they had no interest in leaving. They both lay eggs daily and appear to be healthy. Do y’all think I should try to let them out again or can ducks be just as healthy and happy living in a pen?

Thank you everyone for replying! They have a very big pen and wouldn’t consider them suffering any from being “penned up.” I will definitely start introducing free ranging again! A fear of mine is since I have not had them since they were ducklings they may be harder to put up. But they have warmed up to me tremendously since I got them and I have a feeling that with coaxing of mealworms it’ll all work out! I do live on 20 acres but hoping the fences from cow pastures will keep them retained like they do the chickens!

 

[LilyLoo]

Thank you everyone for replying! They have a very big pen and wouldn’t consider them suffering any from being “penned up.” I will definitely start introducing free ranging again! A fear of mine is since I have not had them since they were ducklings they may be harder to put up. But they have warmed up to me tremendously since I got them and I have a feeling that with coaxing of mealworms it’ll all work out! I do live on 20 acres but hoping the fences from cow pastures will keep them retained like they do the chickens!

My ducks love peas and I buy the big frozen bags at Walmart for under $2 and put small amounts in small zip lock bags. I carry some in my pocket whenever I feel I may need to get their attention and bribe them somewhere quicky like in a storm or whatever. Works great my girls will do anything for peas..lol Maybe try a favorite bribe like the meal worms or peas when you work with them. Best of luck

 

[Cayuga momma]

Thank you everyone for replying! They have a very big pen and wouldn’t consider them suffering any from being “penned up.” I will definitely start introducing free ranging again! A fear of mine is since I have not had them since they were ducklings they may be harder to put up. But they have warmed up to me tremendously since I got them and I have a feeling that with coaxing of mealworms it’ll all work out! I do live on 20 acres but hoping the fences from cow pastures will keep them retained like they do the chickens!

Unless I have treats my ducks act like I'm gonna eat them. But they still go back to the coop in the evenings.
Yours will probably make short trips in the beginning and then longer trips, but I suspect they will go back to the coop every evening.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They also herd well just walking behind slowly with your arms open as a guide can usually get them where you want them to go. Then a nice treat of mealworms and or peas