Ducks flew away

[farmerjaime]

We have 4 mallards 2 drakes and 2 hens. The ducks always went to the coop with the chickens at night until two nights ago they wouldn't go in and slept outside in the small pond. Well, last night they wouldn't go to the coop either so we woke up to one lonely female calling like crazy for her three friends. All the ducks usually fly around the neighborhood in the evenings and always came back. The lone female is stressed and has been calling for them for 4 hours straight. She did nap once and ate once. Any insights to this? Do you think the 3 flyers will return or did they abandon her. Will this lone hen be okay? Any comments to this will be appreciated.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry it took so long to respond.

Did they return?

 

[junebuggena]

It's very common for mallard ducks that are allowed to fly, to fly off with a wild flock. They rarely return.

 

[duckmeister]

Farmerjaime, it's always been my experience that flying mallards always return to where they are fed, if you have been feeding them everyday, they will come home.

 

[farmerjaime]

They have not returned yet and the one female they left behind is still calling for them...I'm worried about her the most...she did eat and drink yesterday but she will not go to the pond. I filled a kiddie pool and she seemed to like that for a bit, I think because I was right next to her. Am I going to have to get her a companion? Why would they leave her I wonder?

 

[pattyhen]

They have not returned yet and the one female they left behind is still calling for them...I'm worried about her the most...she did eat and drink yesterday but she will not go to the pond. I filled a kiddie pool and she seemed to like that for a bit, I think because I was right next to her. Am I going to have to get her a companion? Why would they leave her I wonder?

That is so sad that they left her behind. I just wonder if she is not able to fly as well as they did. We had one mallard years ago and he would fly the neighborhood but he would come back. Keeping my fingers crossed they come back. Is it possible to get another duck for her? Maybe one that doesn't fly.

Patty

 

[Amykins]

Yes, your duckie needs a companion. This is why I clip my birdies' wings religiously, the moment I saw Bean take off once was enough of a scare for me! Poor lil' lonely girl.

 

[casportpony]

I raised six wild Mallards and even though they were well fed, they flew away.Sometimes they came back for a few hours, but eventually the migrated or did what wild ducks do. If you want to keep the last one, clip her wings and get a buddy for her. Interestingly, some of mine came home the following spring for a few hours each day, but when the sun started to set, off they went again.

-Kathy

 

[Lynn Manes]

We have 4 mallards 2 drakes and 2 hens. The ducks always went to the coop with the chickens at night until two nights ago they wouldn't go in and slept outside in the small pond. Well, last night they wouldn't go to the coop either so we woke up to one lonely female calling like crazy for her three friends. All the ducks usually fly around the neighborhood in the evenings and always came back. The lone female is stressed and has been calling for them for 4 hours straight. She did nap once and ate once. Any insights to this? Do you think the 3 flyers will return or did they abandon her. Will this lone hen be okay? Any comments to this will be appreciated.

How sad for you and your one duck left behind. I'm so sorry and hope they decide to come back.