Releasing Mallard ducks when they gain flight feathers

[DuckLover9138]

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I read that animal shelters kill their surplus animals when they come under the budget strains. Obliviously, the recession (in reality a depression) isn't going away for most of us, and will hit them especially hard as they operate on a donation budget even after the economy recovers.

I didn't say anything about an "animal shelter" I said "RESCUE" as in the Lame Duck Rescue group and others (the are not the same as an animal shelter like a dog pound). I don't know what you read, but these rescue groups do NOT kill them. They also offer "foster families" for the ducks. And lots of people adopt their ducks from listings on Craigslist.

Good luck

Thank you. I will forward him your link. Hopefully, he will agree with this.

 

[RavenStorm]

How were these ducks acquired? Are they true Mallards that were caught or "rescued" as ducklings from the wild (well, true Mallards can also be bought from Murray McMurray I guess)? Or are they really Rouens (domesticated Mallards) that were bought from a breeder/hatchery?

If they are wild, you can always look into a wild/migratory waterfowl rescue group. They can rehab the ducks back into a wild mindset so that they can be properly released later on. If they are not, try and sell them on Craig's List or use the buy-sell-auction board here on BYC.

They have been domesticated by now. They do not know how to survive on their own. If you just let them go in the marsh yourself, you might as well have just killed them outright and eaten them. "Freeing" them into the wild without any rehabilitation will only make the owner feel good, but it's typically a death sentence to the birds.

 

[DuckLover9138]

I was told by him that those were true flying mallards capable of migrating and flying really high and thats why he thought about releasing them. He told me that they would probably fly away anyways if he leaves them outside. He wants them to be in a safe place instead of flying around confused. I originally thought about leaving them near my house and letting them fly away, but I think putting them where there is less wildlife would be better. I don't think they are that well domesticated either because they avoided me when I came visit. I guess I can always ask around to see if anyone I know wants Mallards. This is just my opinion, but I don't think every released mallard dies, because you just have to look outside to see all types of wild mallards. If they were all dying, we would have no variations. I will ask around and ask him to do the same to see if anyone wants extra mallard. He doesn't want to put it online because someone might feed it to a snake or something like it.

 

[ducksinarow]

See if you have a wildlife rehab. Some specialize in birds. You could give them to them and they would release them with other mallards.

 

[desertdarlene]

I agree with finding a wildlife rehab or duck rescue agency. Perhaps they can rehabilitate them for release so that they have a better chance to survive. Or, they may use them for educational purposes.

Even though they are mallards and will look similar to the other mallards at the local lake park, it wouldn't be kind to just let them go. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to all the other wild ducks in the flock who have worked hard to survive all this time, either. Many wild ducks catch things from domestic ducks. Plus, there's an issue of fitting into the flock and already established pecking order.

 

[THunter]

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Illegal and unethical. Domestic ducklings have NO idea how to forage for food or evade predators.

Oh yeah? Then how in the world did all the parks here in Gwinnett County, and Lake Lanier in Hall County, end up with so many mallards on them???? Being as we're about 800 miles SOUTH of the breeding range of mallards? And I ain't talking about Rouens or something that looks like mallards. I've been killing them enough years to know a mallard when I see one. Seems like they said they were ready to fly. Not exactly a "duckling".

 

[DuckLover9138]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I decided to leave them on my backyard. They are having a lot of fun, but I have to clean their cage twice a day.

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I am so glad that you decided to keep them.

I didn't speak up about it before but end up coming back to this thread. I think that your friend's mindset is sad. I have 10 "flying mallard" ducks. They can fly but their wing strength is no where near the strength they would need to migrate or even keep up with the wild ducks. I have not clipped their wings but don't think they will go anywhere as they like their food. (also I enjoy watching them try to fly)

For me to raise them from ducklings without thinking of their adult life was very short sighted of your friend, I truly hope that next time he gets a live animal, pet/livestock he really thinks about what he is getting into. I don't think all animals that get released into the wild are automatic food for wildlife but it would be a HARD life to be given food and attention and then "released" with no knowledge of how to survive, forage find shelter or even not be around humans.

My flock follows me around the yard hunting for scraps, I can only imagine them being some hunter's easy mark!

Thank you for stepping up and doing the right thing. And if you need any hints on how to keep them you have come to the right place!!!

 

[Matapatos]

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Never thought I would read something about being "fair" as to the upbringing of birds compared to those in the wild. That has nothing to do with it. Keep them in your yard and since it isn't illegal to release them, let them fly away when they can. Not all of them die, none of them may til they come into my decoys

, and after a couple days they will be able to keep up with the wild birds they hang around. They'll condition their wings and muscles fast. It surprising how many ducks do that when they get with their wild cousins. Domestics get shot out of flocks all the time, domestics that 'aren't supposed to fly'.

Mother Nature isn't fair, think of all the wild ducklings and ducks that don't make it due to Mother Nature... They'll be working as hard as all the wild mallards soon! And pecking order in flocks? Really? You watch a flock of 20 land among thousands and the first thing they do is mingle as split! They don't stay as the same flock for more than hours at a time, unless its two and they are paired up... My .02

Travis

 

[desertdarlene]

Gee, I'm soooo sorry that I was concerned about the well being of animals so as not to cause any further harm to them.

Yes, mother nature isn't fair, but why do we have to do things to make it even worse? Life isn't fair mostly because people go out of their way to make it unfair.

And, yes, there is a pecking order with ducks. If you watch them a while, you can see it very well.