Flying day for the Mallards!

[Spyderk117]

I thought about that but then I don't want them hating me, lol

They won't hate you I think. My mallards are totaly fine with me throwing them in the air.

I don't own muscovys so not really sure how they will react.

 

[Meg the Egg]

I have a few mallards given to me by a friend when the mom duck died, they went in the coop with my baby swedes and have all grown up together. Will they fly away on their own?

 

[Spyderk117]

Hi, Well they might fly away because they are a migratory birds. Are any of them drakes?

 

[Meg the Egg]

I think so, I think I have 2 female 2 male. But I am new to all this and they all have their first female looking feathers. Am I correct in thinking that at around 6 months they feather again and that is when the green heads show? Or did I really end up with 4 females?

 

[Spyderk117]

Have you heard any loud quacking from the mallards?

 

[Spyderk117]

Do you want them to fly away? Or do you want them to stay?

 

[Meg the Egg]

I want the mallards to be as free as they can. They are not caged so if they choose to stay, fine. But I really think as a breed they'd rather not winter in Utah and there are a ton of wild mallards that are on our street. They may choose to leave with them. I,be only heard my blue sweet quack. She quacks so much it dwarfs all other sounds. The other just seem to softly mumble.

 

[Spyderk117]

Okay they are probably going to stay with you. Because ducks don't like leaving their flock. It looks like the mallards have bonded with the swedish ducks.

 

[Meg the Egg]

Lol. I was afraid of that. I have not befriended the mallards like I have the swedes. There is a wetland behind the house with ducks. Perhaps I should bring them there before all the mallards leave. Then the 4 would stay together. I have not fed them much. The majority of their meals come from foraging. Lots of plants and worms. In fact they eat the fish from my pond.

I would like them to live normally in the big wide world if they can. Every year the ducks come back to this street. I had hoped they'd go and return.

If they don't go...won't the Utah winter be too harsh? I have coop and heated water, but would that be enough?

 

[Spyderk117]

Okay, yes I would bring them to the wetlands and see what happens. Whar part of Utah are you from? I live in Northwest Wisconsin it can pretty cold up here! I haven't experienced winter with my ducks yet I got them in spring. If they don't go with the wild ducks then I guess you will have mallards! To keep them warm I would put a heat lamp in the coop. And if it gets really cold you might have to bring them in side or in a garage if you have one?