How far along would you think this duckling was?

[chickens really]

Domestic Mallards get a toes docked off to show its not a wild Mallard.

 

[Housefullofhens]

Forgive my ignorance. What is docking? I’m in Ohio too.

Mallards have to have their right hind toe clipped off if you have them as pets legally, or if you ever need to sell them. No other breed of ducks have to have this done. If they don’t have this done there are other options. Like banding, tattooing, or breaking a bone in their wing. This was the least painful option in my opinion. They metal bands don’t sound bad, but I have heard they can cause problems like frostbite or growing into their leg causing infections & other problems.

 

[Housefullofhens]

 

[Housefullofhens]

 

[Housefullofhens]

 

[Housefullofhens]

The Duck Family introducing their ducklings to the chickens today. Every chicken was right up against the fence waiting so quietly. They were mesmerized.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

View attachment 1699960 View attachment 1699959 The Duck Family introducing their ducklings to the chickens today. Every chicken was right up against the fence waiting so quietly. They were mesmerized.

So very cute!!
Are you absolutely positive that they are both mallards and not Rouen ducks? I ask because *typically* Rouen ducklings have the two eye stripes and mallards only have one.
Rouen ducks Look just like mallards only bigger, your drake looks pretty big to me.
If they are Rouen you wouldn't have to worry about toe clipping or anything

 

[Housefullofhens]

They are mallards. We bought Mallory & Quakers from Rural King with the hind toe already clipped (they clip mallards at the hatchery before shipping to Rural King). They really aren't that big, just look big next to the baby mallards. We did find a vet to show us how to do the hind toe clippings the other day. He takes care of all the animals at African Wildlife Safari in our area. It was so simple. Just wanted to see it done once before we attempted to do it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Was there much bleeding? similar to dew claws in puppies

 

[Housefullofhens]

Absolutely no bleeding at all. They say they don't have many nerves or blood vessels in their webbed feet (which is why they can paddle in ice cold water) & also why it is important to really watch when they are out in the winter time as they can get frost bite very quick because they don't really feel how cold their feet are. He did rub on some sort of bleed stop cream just incase (he said you could also use corn startch or even one of those bleed stop sticks...my husband uses these when he knicks his head saving)