When do the babies "leave the nest"

[bayyjayy]

Hey, there. What age do babies and mamas usually go their own way? Meaning....when do the babies leave and mama doesn't watch out for them anymore?

 

[Wifezilla]

One of my momma ducks is just now ignoring her "babies". They are about 2months old. I had another mom who kept ditching her kids at 3 weeks. So now all her kids are in their own pen and she is back out with the flock. Once the babies no longer need mom for heat they can be on their own, it's just that some ducks are much better mothers than others.

 

[cat1994]

That’s a good question, but I took my babies away from the mom when they were almost full grown and the hen was still really protective, maybe it depends on the hen also I hear that some are more devoted long term mothers then others.

 

[bayyjayy]

These are just your basic mallard. The babies are just starting to get their feathers and I want to find a new home for them, and am feeling bad already for even THINKING of taking her babies.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I have babies that are 10 weeks now, and they have just started "going their own way" so to speak. They still don't go too far from Mom, and they still opt to sleep together at night. However, I have seen the independence finally and she seems less protective of them.

 

[sourland]

Depends upon the hen. Some wean their ducklings early and start another clutch. Others mother them into the fall molt. Wide variation by individual and breed. In my experience mallards tend to 'mother' their ducklings longer than domesticated breeds.

 

[bayyjayy]

Crap!!! So can I take them away once they get their feathers???? Is that mean?

 

[sourland]

Taking them away would not be mean as long as the hen has other flockmates. Hanging around with mom is sort of a throwback to the days when she showed the kids how and where to migrate.