Free Ranging Ducks?

[ILuvsChicks]

Picked up five little ducks and two Geese yesterday. Three are yellow and the guy said they are 'Aflec" (as in the insurance) ducks. Two are brown and I forgot what he called them. The Geese are brown also. The guy said it wasn't necessary to keep them in a brooder at this point. He said he had so many he was keeping some in the back of a pickup. I did put them in the brooder overnight along with some two day old chickens. I gave them the same 'medicated' chick starter the chickens are eating. But I just read not to give them medicated food.
Anyway, for the time being they will be housed with the chickens. Can they be turned out to free range as do the chicken? Will they return to the coop? By the way, my coop is 6'X12' with 1000 square feet of run with an enclosed roof over the 1000 feet (2" chicken wire). How old will they need to be before 'Free Ranging"? I know my Wife had one about 12 years ago. Got it when it was grown. Turned it loose at the pond and it disappeared after about three days. But at the time we had no secure coop to house him in. The pond is a pretty good distance from the house and coop.

 

[cosbackyard]

How old are they now?

I'm guessing they're still a few weeks old. If so they can free range but only under supervision.
The yellow ones might be pekin and the browns might be khaki campbells or runners. Pics are always nice

Lots of people free range their older ducks. If there's a pond you might have trouble getting them to come back in. Ducks are notorious for having to be herded in the coop at night. Also - if there are snapping turtles in the pond they can kill ducks.

As for the run - the ducks should not have access to it at night. They're not smart enough to stay away from chicken wire and will be killed by raccoons reaching through it.

 

[Nebraskagirl]

If they are fully feathered they can probably be outside and be ok. I would not recommend foraging for food unattended right now. They are still a bit young. Ducks do need to be brought in at night. That can be achieved by treats or herding (I do herding. It's not as bad as it sounds. I just get behind them and WALK them to their coop. Over time, the ducks adjust to their routine and it becomes very easy.) No medicated feed is correct. I like flock feeder myself. Remember ducks are a lot messier than chicks and require water deep enough to clear their beaks (nares I believe it's called) and I would supervise right now any outside time and be sure and lock them inside at night. If you lock them with food available, make sure you provide water. Mine do just fine without food and water, but I am up at 6 am and let them out to eat and drink first thing!

 

[ILuvsChicks]

The 'Run' has 2 feet of 1/2 inch wire cloth at the bottom and another foot of it turned out to prevent dig unders.

 

[Going Quackers]

The 'Run' has 2 feet of 1/2 inch wire cloth at the bottom and another foot of it turned out to prevent dig unders.

So cute ! and those are way to young to let loose, even in your pen, the others birds could do some serious harm to them. I would pen within the pen, so they can see/talk to the others. I have my 4wk olds in with the flock BUT they have their mother, my others who don't are penned separately.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So cute ! and those are way to young to let loose, even in your pen, the others birds could do some serious harm to them. I would pen within the pen, so they can see/talk to the others. I have my 4wk olds in with the flock BUT they have their mother, my others who don't are penned separately.

I agree they are still itty bitty and need your protection for a while yet. Just like a mama duck would do.