Missing Mallard Hens

[Miss Lydia]

Pretty! Very easy to get attached that’s for sure!

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

I rehab'd 5 wild ducklings and prepared them for release when I knew others would be nearby. All 5 were released. Within a half hour, the drake returned. Two hens returned throughout the day at different times. A fourth hen returned 2 days later. I've never seen the 5th hen. They've been out of the pen a number of times since then and show no interest in leaving. (Wings are not clipped.) Last time, one spooked and took off. As she passed around the other side of my shed heading towards a wooded area, she screamed, and came flying back into the yard with a huge hawk 2-inches behind her. She slammed into my garden fence, and the hawk flew off. There are a lot of reasons why they don't come back -- attacking hawks, fox stalking favorite eating places, and great horned owls lurking at sunset. (I had one hanging around the backyard the other day.) On the glass-half-full side, they meet up with other ducks and enjoy a blissful life with companionship.

Sorry, I don't have any answers. Just my experience. BTW, your babies are BEAUTIFUL!

 

[MallardMama19]

I rehab'd 5 wild ducklings and prepared them for release when I knew others would be nearby. All 5 were released. Within a half hour, the drake returned. Two hens returned throughout the day at different times. A fourth hen returned 2 days later. I've never seen the 5th hen. They've been out of the pen a number of times since then and show no interest in leaving. (Wings are not clipped.) Last time, one spooked and took off. As she passed around the other side of my shed heading towards a wooded area, she screamed, and came flying back into the yard with a huge hawk 2-inches behind her. She slammed into my garden fence, and the hawk flew off. There are a lot of reasons why they don't come back -- attacking hawks, fox stalking favorite eating places, and great horned owls lurking at sunset. (I had one hanging around the backyard the other day.) On the glass-half-full side, they meet up with other ducks and enjoy a blissful life with companionship.

Sorry, I don't have any answers. Just my experience. BTW, your babies are BEAUTIFUL!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I’m hoping they just found a pond they liked since we have multiple around my house. But, have never been ones to leave, they’ve always returned for the duck pellets and meal worms at night. However, this summer in the trees near us, an eagle did have a hatchling, during the summer I’ve seen two immature eagles flying around us, and recently one bald eagle yesterday.... so that’s been in the back of my mind.
I’m just gonna keep with the happy thoughts

 

[Claires Poultry]

@MallardMama19 Welcome to BYC! Your ducks are beautiful!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[ThreeOfSeven]

I’m just gonna keep with the happy thoughts

I think that's best, and I'm looking forward to more pictures and stories about your beautiful ducks.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

It’s good to trim their wings so they are flightless for at least a year so they don’t get any ideas of flying off. Although, I have had to do it again to my newest trio of Mallards as they were beginning to fly a bit. I even had to do it for a young duck as she was flying a bit, and I lost her brother to the dog as he flew out of the enclosure. I have also done it to my call ducks. I don’t have to do it to my muscovies at least.

 

[MallardMama19]

It’s been awhile, thought I’d give an update. Two of my hens have left now and been gone for a month.... interesting enough they were the two that I purchased 2 weeks after my drake and other hen I call mama.... it’s funny my 2 initial ones have stayed.
I did clip their wings, and have no other trouble since. We’ve had a stray cat roam around, but from watching, he could care less about the ducks and just wants to eat their food (animals are weird ‍) I’ll be anxiously waiting spring to see if by chance my other two return. Might be wishful thinking... but

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope they surprise you an return!