Free range ducks

[Lovemyquackquackers]

Hi Everyone!

I have a question regarding my 3 pet ducks I have. They are mallards if that makes a difference. 1 male and 2 females. Very friendly. I have them housed with my 3 chickens which most days I let out of the coop to free range. I would love to let my ducks out to do the same and have a couple of times in the winter and they loved it. I was a bit uneasy when I let them out in case they took off, they don't fly far but waddle surprisingly fast. I live on the lake and my fear of letting my ducks out when the ice is not on the lake is that they will be gone. I am looking for thoughts on this topic.

Thanks so much!

 

[chickens really]

Definitely they will find the water and possibly never come back?..Free range means exactly that..Free to predators and free to roam..

 

[CrystaBub]

Could you provide them a safe fenced in space for limited free ranging?

 

[Lovemyquackquackers]

Could you provide them a safe fenced in space for limited free ranging?

i could possibly with winter fencing, if that is the correct term. My yard is quite big so it require some thought. Thanks so much. I do have an enclosed run for them which is 80 square feet andi have alittlekiddie pool in there and empty it for them daily and give th em treats daily. They seem happy but when i let .the chickens out my male mallard' Theodore come over to the door and cocks his little head sideways and quacks at me as though he's askibg if they can come out too.

 

[CrystaBub]

Awww they want out! Lol! You could start with supervised walks. I don’t free range because we have so many predators - and after we finish fencing our yard, I probably still won’t leave them outside alone for more than a few minutes. I take them on walks and go with them to the pond for swim time. Then they go back to their pen/run for eating and nap time

 

[Lovemyquackquackers]

Could you provide them a safe fenced in space for limited free ranging?

Awww they want out! Lol! You could start with supervised walks. I don’t free range because we have so many predators - and after we finish fencing our yard, I probably still won’t leave them outside alone for more than a few minutes. I take them on walks and go with them to the pond for swim time. Then they go back to their pen/run for eating and nap time

i have supervisec them outside in the past , they are so much fun to talk toand watch, they make melaugh. They definitely head straight for the lake, which is quita a large lake so i dont let them go in in case they swim away. I attached apic of my coop /run .

 

[CrystaBub]

View attachment 1514681 View attachment 1514684


i have supervisec them outside in the past , they are so much fun to talk toand watch, they make melaugh. They definitely head straight for the lake, which is quita a large lake so i dont let them go in in case they swim away. I attached apic of my coop /run .

Such a precious coop and run! They are so much fun to watch. I’m sure that lake is very tempting to them.

 

[Lovemyquackquackers]

Thank you! My husband built it, He doesnt share my love of ducks but he did a great job on the coop. Still no sign of hatching this morning.

 

[Lovemyquackquackers]

I wanted to ask you what kind of ducks do you have? Is it the kind in your profile pic?

 

[CrystaBub]

I missed something what are you hatching??? How exciting - I’ve never tried to hatch anything.

I have 4 ducks. 1 male Pekin, 1 female Pekin, 1 female Ancona and 1 female egg laying machine Runner.