I have no idea what I am doing

[Tlmcq]

My girl could take small bursts at Lucky's age. She is almost 6 months now and at about 3.5 months when I let her out of run with the others she took off bout 5 ft off ground and past the pond. I almost had a heart attack. Thought she was going to the road. Needless to say the next swim she got one wing clipped before I let her go...she was not happy with me as she doesn't care to be held...lol. She was off balance for a few minutes and that was it...she can still get off the ground a bit but not very well. I didn't wanna clip it too much but was afraid if I didn't she would get hurt. I did wait til all her big girl feathers were in before I did it tho. She is a domestic mallard and would be so lost without her flock...she freaks if the others make it to door first and she can't find her way in.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

At what age should ducks be able to fly? I thought after they get flight feathers at around six months but not sure. Lucky is six weeks old as of yesterday and she has already started. Just came outside with her now and she did it again. Only about a foot or so but she flew. What is that about?

If she has her flight feathers she can fly lol she probably won't go far from you though she is so strongly imprinted.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Here are a couple good videos on wing clipping if you chose to do so. I don't believe she would ever fly away from you but if your a worrie r like me. . I clip my calls because I don't want them to accidentally get into the neighbors yards where they are dogs or get out to the road.
I chose to clip both wings so they will be balanced and can still fly just a bit so they don't get hurt when they jump down off something but They can't get enough lift to go far. I see a lot of people recommend only doing one wing . I found with my inside birds that being off balanced like that got them hurt. They would try to take off and end up spinning in a circle and smack into something.
I'm not trying to encourage you to clip her wings. . it's a personal choice. Just giving you my experience and thoughts on it

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Oh. . I like to leave the two longest feathers at the tip instead of taking it straight off like she does in this video. I just like the way it looks better. It seems to give me the same result as taking it all off so why not!

 

[Steven Mazzo]

P

My girl could take small bursts at Lucky's age. She is almost 6 months now and at about 3.5 months when I let her out of run with the others she took off bout 5 ft off ground and past the pond. I almost had a heart attack. Thought she was going to the road. Needless to say the next swim she got one wing clipped before I let her go...she was not happy with me as she doesn't care to be held...lol. She was off balance for a few minutes and that was it...she can still get off the ground a bit but not very well. I didn't wanna clip it too much but was afraid if I didn't she would get hurt. I did wait til all her big girl feathers were in before I did it tho. She is a domestic mallard and would be so lost without her flock...she freaks if the others make it to door first and she can't find her way in.

If she has her flight feathers she can fly lol she probably won't go far from you though she is so strongly imprinted.

prior to this evenings short flight I would never consider clipping her wings but now I'm worried lol.

 

[Tlmcq]

I didn't like the idea either, but weighing the circumstances I opted to clip them. She is too used to being in her flock and around dogs n people. I don't think she would fair well on her own around here.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I didn't like the idea either, but weighing the circumstances I opted to clip them. She is too used to being in her flock and around dogs n people. I don't think she would fair well on her own around here.

Ya that's my thing as well. My birds are used to my dogs. My dogs run from THEM lol. It wouldn't go so good for them to try that with any other dog. And they are so curious!

 

[room onthebroom]

WOW! This picture Ravyn... Wow! Wow! Wow!!! My gothic DD is gonna drop dead when she sees this.

 

[Ravynscroft]

At what age should ducks be able to fly? I thought after they get flight feathers at around six months but not sure. Lucky is six weeks old as of yesterday and she has already started. Just came outside with her now and she did it again. Only about a foot or so but she flew. What is that about?

There is no set age... it is as soon as the flight feathers come in, lol... I hate clipping wings, but I do sometimes for their own safety... especially juveniles after they get in a couple good flights, because after that they get daring and fly down into the valley where a nesting pair of hawks live... one of our faves did that and got hit by one... after a month of nursing her, we lost her... please, don't learn the hard way like we did... the good thing is, ducks molt twice a year so if you'd rather she has them, it won't be too long before she does again...

WOW! This picture Ravyn... Wow! Wow! Wow!!! My gothic DD is gonna drop dead when she sees this.

Thank you... that's my Ayam Cemani breeder this year... still haven't named him yet, lol...

 

[Steven Mazzo]

There is no set age... it is as soon as the flight feathers come in, lol... I hate clipping wings, but I do sometimes for their own safety... especially juveniles after they get in a couple good flights, because after that they get daring and fly down into the valley where a nesting pair of hawks live... one of our faves did that and got hit by one... after a month of nursing her, we lost her... please, don't learn the hard way like we did... the good thing is, ducks molt twice a year so if you'd rather she has them, it won't be too long before she does again...



Thank you... that's my Ayam Cemani breeder this year... still haven't named him yet, lol...

What a beauty