Free Range Ducks

[Adunmyer]

Hello All... new to the group. I have 4 mallards, 11 weeks old. We tried free range two times but they flew off. 3 came right back but one was crying in the neighbors yard. Their wings were clipped, obviously not good enough They have a nice big pen with a 300 gallon Koi pond. I’d like to let them free range for a few hours after work but I’m terrified they will fly off or wonder too far away or that I won’t be able to return them to the pen at night. Any suggestions?

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - even hatchery raised mallards sometimes retain wild instincts. Generally once mature they do not fly as much (depending upon how many generations from wild).

 

[333113]

When I let my ducks "free range," it's within a fenced area, to keep out daytime predators like foxes and coyotes. I lock them up safe from all predators at night.
One "trick" I use is to house the ducks in at least two separate pens. The ones that are out won't stray far from their buddies in lockup, even if it's just to be able to say, "I'm out and you're not!"