To clip or not to clip

[chrispbrown27]

I am debating on whether or not I should clip wings on my Pekin ducks. We have a pond about 100 yards behind out house that I would like for the ducks to use, but between the coop and the pond is 100 yards of waist high grass. I am concerned about predators hiding in the grass and grabbing them as they waddle by. I was thinking that I could leave the wings uncut for the summer to give them a better chance at getting down to the pond and then clip them in the fall (lots of duck hunting in the area I live). So what do you guys think?
Chris

 

[Going Quackers]

Pekin don't fly though?

 

[Amiga]

Hmmm. Once Pekins mature, they have an awful time getting off the ground. I don't see a reason to clip. And you may want to think some more on how to protect them from predators. Duck dinner is quite the favorite, as you know.

Balancing the desire to let them have access to open spaces versus protecting them is a constant open question, seems to me.

Since my place is small and the predator list here long, I keep the ducks pretty close. I have no guarantees we won't be bushwhacked, but when I am not nearby the ducks are in the day pen.

 

[Going Quackers]

I agree Amiga, i leave mine un-clipped since they free range, i feel if they are going to be loose to take the ability to fly away would be unfair as that is a line of defense, so i should leave them with all the opportunities to escape predators.