Should I clip my ducks wings?

[bayyjayy]

I have three mallards. Two came to me as babies, and neither one of them have ever flown off. My girl has flown into my backyard once. I also got another pair of mallards last December. I told the people who found them they could put them in my backyard but that they wouldn't stay. Well, they have. They would fly into my neighbors back yard, my backyard, my side yard, my front yard, but they always came back. I was really surprised, because they came to me during a HUGE snowstorm, and since they were older birds and weren't mine and had never been here, I thought for sure they would be gone in a few days. But, they never left. Sad thing is, they were in my backyard and my dogs got the female and played with her to death.

 

[70%cocoa]

Quote:
In that case I think it's a good idea to keep the call duck clipped. If the mallards are small and capable if flying I'd keep them clipped too.

Having clipped wings might reduce their chances if a predator got into the yard but if they fly off then their chances are really low. So clipping with good predator protection is the way to go, IMO.

 

[ducksinarow]

My campbells fly over my head. All 5 of them can fly they are about 6 months old. I don't clip the wings because I think this is about there only form of protection they have themselves. I think being able to fly keeps them from being so nervous. I lock them up in there house at dusk and cage them when I cannot watch them but I like them to be able to fly when they are out.