I have 3 Mallard ducklings that are about 10 weeks old. They hatched in my kindergarten classroom and, of course, ended up at my house. I am their "mommy" duck.
2 have started flying around the yard, using flight as a short cut between short distances. These 2 ducklings have been practicing their flying skills for around 3 weeks now and their flying skills are growing stronger each day.
But, then there is duckling number 3: "Patito" (it means "duck" in Spanish -- he was 'hatched' during Spanish class at school). Poor Patito can't seem to lift off the ground. He had a slight case of Angel Wing that has seemed to improved greatly after just a couple of tapings by the vet (Duck-Tape! Ha!).
Although his wing joint has straightened out nicely, he does still have several feathers on that same wing that do appear to have grown in crooked.
When the other two ducks fly around the pasture, poor Patito just runs as fast as his little legs will take him and he flaps his wings as hard as he can..... but he never gets off the ground... not even a couple of inches or a short glide.
Today the 3 ducklings had climbed the long set of brick steps up to the front of my home. When it was dinner time we headed toward the barn. 2 of the ducklings flew off the steps and to me in the driveway. Patito, however, leaped off the steps and took about a 6 foot tumble down onto the bottom steps. I am worried he will end up hurting himself.
My question: At about 10-weeks of age, is Patito supposed to be flying like the other 2 ducks? Is he "delayed?" Is he a "special student?"
I love my 3 ducklings…. But I don’t know anything about ducks….
2 have started flying around the yard, using flight as a short cut between short distances. These 2 ducklings have been practicing their flying skills for around 3 weeks now and their flying skills are growing stronger each day.
But, then there is duckling number 3: "Patito" (it means "duck" in Spanish -- he was 'hatched' during Spanish class at school). Poor Patito can't seem to lift off the ground. He had a slight case of Angel Wing that has seemed to improved greatly after just a couple of tapings by the vet (Duck-Tape! Ha!).

When the other two ducks fly around the pasture, poor Patito just runs as fast as his little legs will take him and he flaps his wings as hard as he can..... but he never gets off the ground... not even a couple of inches or a short glide.
Today the 3 ducklings had climbed the long set of brick steps up to the front of my home. When it was dinner time we headed toward the barn. 2 of the ducklings flew off the steps and to me in the driveway. Patito, however, leaped off the steps and took about a 6 foot tumble down onto the bottom steps. I am worried he will end up hurting himself.
My question: At about 10-weeks of age, is Patito supposed to be flying like the other 2 ducks? Is he "delayed?" Is he a "special student?"
I love my 3 ducklings…. But I don’t know anything about ducks….