The right of flight...

[TearDucks]

hello family,
I hope you are all well.I am struggling with a decision I never thought I'd ponder. 2 years ago I obtained an adult female muscovy, I named her Ostara. The first thing I noticed about her was her clipper wings. I felt so sad for her and I couldn't wait to see them molt and grow back. I truly believe she should have her right as a bird and be allowed to fly. I am awe struck at her beauty and grace when she flys. I live extremely close to a river, its about 30 yards maybe from my house and for the last 3 years my ducks have enjoyed it. Until recently when a snapping turtle munched one of my ducklings. Unfortunately her injuries were to extensive to keep her alive so i had to put her down. On the 24th she wouldve been 4 months. I recently with great horror witnessed a wild duck get taken by this massive turtle. I tried to help her but I couldn't do much as she struggled and lost. I put a fence up across my bank to keep mine out and away from the river. Unfortunately Ostara flys over it and into the river for a short time. Coming up right where the wild duck was taken. I was beside myself with panick until she came out safely. I wish to keep her from the river. I have more bird netting left i can try to hang and keep her from taking off but she may just take off from the neighbors yard. I am asking what your thoughts are, should I go against what I believe is right for my bird if it means saving her from an awful death potentially? I almost feel like I'm putting her in danger if she can't fly away from it. I stalk them when they are out and if I can't be right there I put them in. But a girls gotta pee every now and then lol...
What have you done to keep your flock safe from turtles? Thank you ahead of time for your thoughts.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

i would clip her wings. it’s better for her to be safe then dead. my khaki can fly quite well, so we might have to start clipping her’s soon too

 

[TearDucks]

I've never done it before. I just watched a couple videos and every sound of the scissors clipping another feather I twitched it was hard to listen to let alone watch. But if I can get myself to get over that bc and clip one wing it would be easier then watching her die via turtle. Im afraid she will still try and go in the river regardless and im afraid shes gonna be pissed at me. I feel like I'd be breaking a promise to her too. Just lots of conflicting emotions going on. I cant stop replaying the events of the turtle vs the ducks....

 

[orloffer]

I agree, clipping the wings would be a safe option. It does not hurt the bird at all, and once you learn which feathers to clip, it only takes a few seconds to actually do it.

 

[orloffer]

I do not think the duck will associate the lack of ability of flight with you.

 

[Cheeki]

Sometimes we have to lay our emotions aside and use common sense. Make the choice. Clip her wing to ensure her safety or risk losing her to the turtle

 

[TearDucks]

Can someone please explain exactly how it is done so I dont hurt her. She took off in the river again, making my decision for me. I just can't feel scared like that when she takes off. I must know I have done everything in my power to keep her safe. I dont want to take her right away but I want her alive. Thank you for helping me make this decision, now I need to know how to do it. Thank you

 

[noodledog]

Hopefully this will help! There's videos on it on youtube too. As long as you only clip the primaries, she will be able to glide, but not fly. Don't cut them too short and you won't hurt her

 

[TearDucks]

So, I tried i hope I did it right.

I was trying to leave a few at the end to make it look neat when theyre folded. I looked underneath first to make sure I wasn't cutting any of her white smaller feathers underneath.

This is what I cut off does it look like I did it right? My first time...

 

[TearDucks]

One more of her after I cut one wing