Random ducks visiting me

[CheekiBreekiChick]

Hey guys, a few weeks ago I had a pair of ducks show up in my yard. Cool, right? Interestingly, around this time last year two ducks with the same coloring visited, but I'm not 100% sure if these two are the same ones or a different pair altogether. The ducks from last year visited on and off for a month and then left, so I'm not expecting this pair to stick around either. They seem okay with my husband and I as long as we don't get within a few feet of the female, otherwise the drake gets huffy. I learned through BYC that domestic ducks are descendants of mallards, but does anyone have a guess as to what breed they are or what they're mixed with?

Now, it gives me the warm fuzzies when I have friendly critters come visit me, and I totally squealed when I peeked out the window and saw I had ducks again. But this year my husband and I got our first flock of chickens and I'm concerned about biosecurity. Do I need to be worried about these ducks? Is it okay for them to occasionally be hanging out next to my coop where the pullets are? I hate the idea of shoo-ing them off, but then again part of our backyard is woods and the wildlife shows up whenever and wherever it likes, such as my back porch

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did they walk in or fly? They look like Muscovy going by bill shape. If you have neighbors maybe ask if anyone is missing a couple of ducks. They may have been dumped too. Ducks are hardy and rarely carry disease. Maybe they should join your flock before a predator gets them.

 

[CheekiBreekiChick]

Did they walk in or fly? They look like Muscovy going by bill shape. If you have neighbors maybe ask if anyone is missing a couple of ducks. They may have been dumped too. Ducks are hardy and rarely carry disease. Maybe they should join your flock before a predator gets them.

They flew in. I've noticed in the evening they fly off in the same direction, but with the woods in the way I can't tell exactly where they're going. I wouldn't mind if they stayed but they only show up every few days so I guess they have other places to go.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Muscovy fly really well. I have to clip mines one wing in the fall after they molt to keep them inside their fencing.

Maybe you can make friends and they will stick around. Do you have any ponds or lakes rivers close by?

 

[Canadian Wind]

I'm thinking they might be Muscovy/Mallard hybrids. Florida is full of these, as well as the purebred ones.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had 2 Muscovy hybrids and neither could fly. Rescues from the river below us.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I had 2 Muscovy hybrids and neither could fly. Rescues from the river below us.

But if they were from a wild population, wouldn't that make them more likely to? The colours are just wrong for pure Muscovy, but they clearly have Muscovy bills and rudimentary caruncle development.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know where these 2 hybrids came from they just showed up in the river one day along with I assume their dad who was full Muscovy.
He flew but they didn't. They were most likely dumped.
I guess Hybrids can fly I don't really know. The coloring on the 2 the OP has visiting is very much like the 2 that were in our river.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I don't know where these 2 hybrids came from they just showed up in the river one day along with I assume their dad who was full Muscovy.
He flew but they didn't. They were most likely dumped.
I guess Hybrids can fly I don't really know. The coloring on the 2 the OP has visiting is very much like the 2 that were in our river.

Sometimes I just want to slap people...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Me too.

I was able to bring these guys home yes all 3 drakes and I found homes for them. They were sweet boys and sure deserved more than being dumped in the river.