Releasing a Hooded Merganser

[Thekid1877]

Looking for some advice from someone who has raised a merganser. I saw a few other posts from people who have done it. I am wondering when or what age or how you knew it was ready for release back into the wild. Thanks in advance for any guidance

 

[MGG]

Looking for some advice from someone who has raised a merganser. I saw a few other posts from people who have done it. I am wondering when or what age or how you knew it was ready for release back into the wild. Thanks in advance for any guidance

Welcome to BYC!
Do you currently have one? They're very tricky to raise. Ducks can't be on their own until they're fully feathered at around 8 weeks old.

 

[Thekid1877]

Hello and thank you. Yes I do and it is just about eight weeks old. It is a lot of work and expensive! Part of the reason I’m ready to send it back out into the world.

 

[MGG]

Hello and thank you. Yes I do and it is just about eight weeks old. It is a lot of work and expensive! Part of the reason I’m ready to send it back out into the world.

Do you have a picture of it? It should be plenty old enough now. I'd let it go on a small-ish body of water preferably with duck weed or some other kind of edible vegetation.