Is this Mallard or something else?

[Luv Ducks]

When old enough you might give them a choice between staying and leaving. But only problem is they are used to you feeding them and caring for them it might pretty rough on them if they did fly away.
@MGG

I agree, getting them that young made it impossible for the Mother Duck to teach them how to hunt for food. They have been dependent on you. I would not release them if it were me for that reason.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Thank you all! After researching, I agree they are wood ducks. They are not flying yet. Are they good to raise or should I release them?

If you release them they will probably surely not make it in the wild. They are used to having their food served to them and since you got them so young, their Mother had no time to teach them how to look for food or any of the other lessons she needed to teach them. They stay with their Mom's for 50 - 60 days while they are learning how to survive in the wild. I hope that you decide to keep them for their sake.

 

[Meganella]

Mine is only 3 weeks old so I am not sure about how tame it will be once it is outside with the rest of my flock. Do you keep yours in an enclosure with a top on it. I had heard that they can fly away. Mine can jump 2 feet high already but once I have it in my hand will let me hold it forever it seems and be content. I had heard that they cannot be tamed down. I was wondering how old yours are and if they are pretty tame. Yours are all females and mine is too. They will interbreed with Mallards and other ducks but the ducklings will be sterile.

We have 3 males and 1 female. They were in a brooder a kinda freaked out. Once I put two rhode island red chicks that were a couple weeks older in with them, they were calmer and adopted by the pullet. I now have them in a 20x 10 enclosure attached to a huge 8x8 coop house 7ft tall with all chickens and they have 2 ponds separate from waterers. Thinking of releasing them in our inclosed pond that has a lot of mature trees and putting up some besting boxes when they are old enough. Pretty sure they are 9 weeks right now but not flying yet.

 

[Meganella]

If you release them they will probably surely not make it in the wild. They are used to having their food served to them and since you got them so young, their Mother had no time to teach them how to look for food or any of the other lessons she needed to teach them. They stay with their Mom's for 50 - 60 days while they are learning how to survive in the wild. I hope that you decide to keep them for their sake.

They have been foraging for food really well actually. Our rooster and one hen have actually helped take them in.

 

[Meganella]

If you release them they will probably surely not make it in the wild. They are used to having their food served to them and since you got them so young, their Mother had no time to teach them how to look for food or any of the other lessons she needed to teach them. They stay with their Mom's for 50 - 60 days while they are learning how to survive in the wild. I hope that you decide to keep them for their sake.

They have been foraging for food really well actually. Our rooster and one hen have actually helped take them in.

When old enough you might give them a choice between staying and leaving. But only problem is they are used to you feeding them and caring for them it might pretty rough on them if they did fly away.
@MGG

They have been foraging for food really well actually. Our rooster and one hen have actually helped take them in.

 

[Meganella]

they actually prefer to eat from the pond I have set up and have been trying to hide insects under rocks and in wood bc it keeps them entertained

 

[Luv Ducks]

they actually prefer to eat from the pond I have set up and have been trying to hide insects under rocks and in wood bc it keeps them entertained

Under these circumstances if they decide to fly away they will probably do well. I would let them decide if they want to stay or leave if they were mine. It sounds like you have done a really good job with them.