I have 2 ducks... A Pekin & a Mallard. I've been told that there is a good chance they will fly off this fall... and that, if they do, they may return here next spring. I've also been told that the mallard may fly & return, but the pekin probably won't leave. And I've been told that, since they were raised together & the pekin won't leave, they'll both stay all winter. Anyone have any experience with the whole leaving & returning scenario? Who's likely to go and when and will they be back? Thanks!
Not positive but i don't think pekings migrate. Ducks are taught to migrate by parents or by joining passing flocks. If they are raised by you I highly doubt the mallard leaves unless it finds a flock to join. My neighbor has pekings that stay all year round. Mallards too. He has an air raider that keeps open water in his pond.
Pekins are generally too heavy to achieve true flight. They can attain short flight, but not truly fly away. if you're worried about it, clip their wings. (if the mallard is a lawfully kept bird, you can clip. if it is wild, you cannot have anything to do with it, including but not limited to: clip wings, keep captive, obtain and keep feathers etc.)
Mine have never tried to fly away, it's cute to watch then hop up and down in the wind and flap their wings though. At first I used to panic thinking they were trying to leave, but my Mallard Drake, and Pekin hen, nor my Runners ever tried to leave.
