What do I do when they can fly?

[rachellynn]

I live in a neighborhood so I cant let my ducks roam. I also don't want to build a pen for them unless I have to. THere is a pond down the road where other ducks are. If I let them go in their will they be ok? I'm worried about migration, will they know how to on there own?

 

[Amiga]

What breeds do you have?

I have a pen for mine, and they love it. I think they know it keeps them safe.

 

[rachellynn]

I have peckins. I would like to take them to the pond is that a bad idea?

 

[Amiga]

Pekins are not known to be good flyers. They get kind of heavy. That doesn't mean they might not flap their wings to get over a low fence, but they're not the migrating kind.

I would be worried silly about letting my ducks go down to the pond. Too much could happen to them on the way, or while they were there.

 

[carcar80]

My Pekins are not flyers at all. I would not want them going far, so I'm with Amiga- I'd worry too much. Welcome to BYC!

 

[carcar80]

Are those your ducks in your avatar? A Pekin and a Mallard? If so, the Mallard will be able to fly very well (unless you've pinioned, etc) and can and will go to a pond. So you might want to do something about that if you're not comfortable with it.

 

[Kevin565]

Where do you plan on keeping them at night?

 

[rachellynn]

Ok thanks for the responses! One is a pekin and one is a Rouen. Do roues fly we'll? I'm not sure what to do... Is the best thing to build a pin in my back yard, take them to the family farm, or the pond close to my house? I just can't have them free roam when they are big. Right now they are in a baby pool with a heat lamp in my garage. And when do I take them off the heat lamp, they are already not staying under it? Thanks!

 

[carcar80]

Well.. without asking many more questions.. (like, did you just want baby ducks and then you won't want them anymore? Just trying to figure out what the plan was.. did you get these unexpectedly?, etc..)

Does the fam farm have a body of water? I guess that would be my vote bc that's basically how my place is. If there is no body of water for protection, I wouldn't do that. I hate for you to "dump" them at the neighborhood pond if that's what you meant by taking them there. Building a pen in your own yard with a kiddie pool would be a fantastic (and best IMO) option, but not sure what your situation is and whether that would become reality. I'm a bit confused. But that's not uncommon.

And you are correct, I don't believe rouens are commonly good flyers either. Thanks for clarifying breed.

 

[Kevin565]

Rouens are poor fliers. I would personally set up a proper pen in your backyard if you can. A pond doesn't really protect from snapping turtles,hawks, owls, eagles. egrets, etc. It'd be nice to give them some time playing on it but I wouldn't consider it a suitable home.