Releasing Mallard ducks when they gain flight feathers

[kangababy]

We normally rasie and release 100 flying mallards every year on our paon. If you were close to use we would take them because we have about 70 that stay here or fly out during the day and back at night.

If you release them they are going to fly off and you will have no idea where they will go but they should do just fine.

if it was me, I woudl put an add on craiglist for someone who has a pond with ducks. That would be best for them so they can get used to being out on there own but have other ducks around to show them the ropes. They may or may not migrate with the real wid ducks, but will normally stick around a pond with other animals

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Where are you located?? I have read most of these post and I have not seen where you or your friend live..did I miss that part?

 

[Matapatos]

Desert, I just thought it was funny you were thinking of how unfair it was that some had to grow up in the wild and others had the comfort of a pen and protection to grow up... When they get out there it will be unfair the other way, they will have to learn to forage food whereas the wilds already know to do it.

Personally, I think they'll be fine. We have feral populations of "domesticated" and captive raised species in every place, clime, and habitat that proves mother nature can and will teach the strong how to survive. Cats in the wild, raccoons in the city, Mandarin duck populations now wild in a few places, the list goes on. These ducks will be miles ahead of others that have gone the same way... Good Luck!

Travis

 

[StevenW.]

Why would you get ducks and just decide to dump them off somewhere and not take care of them until they die of old age? What's the fun in that?

I guess some people just don't get it

 

[StevenW.]

Quote:
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".

Because people go and get ducklings for easter and when they arent all fluffy and cuddly no more they release them on the nearest pond cause they could care less what happens to them. And if the ducks live close to people houses then people go out and feed them so they stay there.

 

[StevenW.]

And you cant legally own a wild flying mallard without a permit anyway so if a fish and game officer sees them and asks if you have a permit and you say no; it's a federal crime which could end up costing a bunch of money.

 

[FlowerFarmer]

Quote:
I wonder what the chances are of getting caught at this.
Wild and domestic mallards are impossible to tell apart, and I dont usually have fish and game officers in my backyard....so...
Just wondering since I have rescued wild mallards

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
X2. I've seen posts on here saying "They'll be okay in the wild", but do you actually follow the ducks you released in the wild, and make sure they are okay, or do you just guess?! Unless you raise them outside with other wild mallards to teach them, it isn't a smart move to "free" them. They have VERY little chance of survival in the wild, unless raised by wild mallards. Also, don't buy/adopt ducklings if the only purpose is to let them go for "fun".

desertdarlene, I agree completely!
OP, glad you're keeping them.

 

[Matapatos]

Quote:
X2. I've seen posts on here saying "They'll be okay in the wild", but do you actually follow the ducks you released in the wild, and make sure they are okay, or do you just guess?! Unless you raise them outside with other wild mallards to teach them, it isn't a smart move to "free" them. They have VERY little chance of survival in the wild, unless raised by wild mallards. Also, don't buy/adopt ducklings if the only purpose is to let them go for "fun".

desertdarlene, I agree completely!
OP, glad you're keeping them.

That actually goes the other way too, have they been followed and seen killed because of their inability to scavenge food, predators, pneumonia, etc. Basically all the same stuff that kills wild ducks too!

Looks like you got some new pets! good luck with them!

Travis

 

[Speceider]

Actually there are LOTS of studies showing that survival rates of released mallards (using banded birds and rates estimated at 1 year) is less than 20% in most studies.

Clint