Muscovy flew away!!

[CRmuscovy]

No, I did not see her fly away. She was gone when I went to tuck them in late in the afteroon. They are all in an enclosed yard with a fence. I am looking everywhere on the property, and have asked the neighbors to keep an eye out for her. I find it amazingshe is gone, too. The most I had seen get was about 20feet, but when I saw her do that the day before yesterday I knew it was time to clip the wings.

Correction: I just noticed I wrote 20 feet. I meant 12!

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I hope your little hen is ok! Are there wild ducks in the area that she could have joined up with?

It’s amazing how well they can fly when properly motivated. I do not clip my Muscovy hens’ feathers, mostly because only one can fly well and she has no wish to live a solitary life as a wild ‘Scovy in Vermont. That being said, she took off for the first time ever after being startled by a utility man a couple of weeks ago. I spent hours following her through the woods, watching her fly here, there, and everywhere but home. I only got her back once she got lonely and hungry. Anyways, my point was really that she was very much capable of evading danger, and I truly hope your little hen has been able to do so as well! Keep us updated!

 

[TheStooges]

I clipped the first yr, but after that I haven't. The person I got mine from warned me they could fly away searching for their old home if they weren't penned up for at least 2 weeks and if they were old enough. But, mine came to me as ducklings.

Oh good to know!! Mine were ducklings too and seems very bonded to the goslings we got at the same time so I can’t see them leaving.

 

[CRmuscovy]

I hope your little hen is ok! Are there wild ducks in the area that she could have joined up with?

It’s amazing how well they can fly when properly motivated. I do not clip my Muscovy hens’ feathers, mostly because only one can fly well and she has no wish to live a solitary life as a wild ‘Scovy in Vermont. That being said, she took off for the first time ever after being startled by a utility man a couple of weeks ago. I spent hours following her through the woods, watching her fly here, there, and everywhere but home. I only got her back once she got lonely and hungry. Anyways, my point was really that she was very much capable of evading danger, and I truly hope your little hen has been able to do so as well! Keep us updated!

Thank you so muchfor the encouragement! There aren't many ducks, but there are some. I have asked around, but still no one has spotted her. I will definitely keep everyone posted.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I'm so sorry. This breaks my heart. I hope she comes back or shows up somewhere around town and you can pick up your now experienced flyer and bring home. This is why I keep thinking I need to cut the flight feathers of my Calls. A few days ago I noticed my little runt, Faith, just sitting outside their new run. I am so grateful that she didn't fly off and that nothing got her. I hate to clip the feathers of ducks that are capable of flying so well, and keeping them safe is my top priority, which is another reason I'm on the fence about clipping. Of course I made some changes to their run netting top. About a week before that, 3 of them got spooked and took flight. The "leader of the flock" stayed behind and I'm guessing that's why only one went far. Thankfully we were able to retrieve him and that's when I changed their run and added netting on top. I sure wish you the best and thank you for this thread for those of us that can't decide if we should clip or not <3

 

[TheStooges]

Funny the timing of this post. My Muscovy girls took flight this morning for the first time. It was so beautiful to watch! They just circled the property and settled down when we brought the pekins out from quarantine (bumblefoot treatments going on) I think they were looking for them!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovy just loved to fly. There use to be 3 at our river down below our home and watching them fly along the river was a beautiful sight. But Watching them being picked off one by one wasn't so nice. So I finally was able to bring one drake home. He never even tried to fly after we got him here. I also went and got him, 3 females, to start my love affair with ducks. But the day I brought those 3 females home was the day I learned how to clip wings, when we found them perched on top of the fence looking down at the river.

 

[CRmuscovy]

UPDATE!! She came back!!!! This morning as I went to let the ducks out of their coop, there she was waiting for me to let her in the yard! Ha!! She flew out , but wanted me to let her walk in!! I think she was exhausted!! What a beautiful reunion it was!! Her brothers and sister surrounded her and playfully pecked at her. I wish I knew where she had been, and understood the duck talk that was going on as they were reunited. I am so happy!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[CRmuscovy]

Thank you for your prayers!