will my ducks run away if I let them outside???

[rainplace]

Bumping this thread rather than start another on the same topic.
I have 3 runner ducks that I picked up free on CL. They don't lay, and so haven't been terribly useful to us, other than the fact that they are super cute and we love watching them waddle and forage.
There is a ditch around the property (we're out in farmland no neighbors in view) and I've started to think that it might be really useful to us to give them access to the ditch and surrounding area to let them forage for the grassy weeds (mostly foxtail) that grows there and eventually makes trouble for out little dogs. My hope is that they will keep the grasses in check and hopefully cut their feeding bill some. The neighboring farms are lemon orchards, so I don't think they'll cause any crop damage.

But: will they leave us? I know they view their little yard as home, so I feel like they will return to the duck house if they feel unsafe. But I just was worried they may wander too far.

What are peoples experience with this? Do they tend to stay close to home?

I'm not sure how long ago you got your runners, but if it's recently, they will probably wait till they settle in before laying.

Regarding letting them range. Ducks eat greens as part of a larger diet. They will eat grass and weeds, but I wouldn't depend on them (especially if you only have 3) to keep your weeds under control. What they will get in those weeds are probably a lot of yummy bugs, and that will keep your feed bill down. However, whenever you let ducks range outside of their safe zone, you are risking their safety. They are prey animals and don't have a lot in the way of defenses. If they view their yard as safe, then yes, runners will come back. My flock has 60 acres to range, use only about 6 of that unless I entice them further by feeding in another location, but prefer to spend their downtime in their fenced yard.

 

[tom e]

Thanks for the advice. I did let them out for a short time today, under supervision. They didn't go very far, but I think I will keep it as just something to let them do while I'm in the yard, you bring up a good point with the predators.

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

As long as they know that your house is where they will get there food I don't think they will wonder too far away. I had a big mud puddle (almost a little pond) a few houses down. My ducks got out of their cage and found that puddle. After spending forever trying to get them back into their pen, and block off where they got out. They still got out and went right back to that pond. That time I just left them there. They came back as soon as they had had their fun and were clean. So I don't think yours will go away and not come back, but you might want to keep and eye on them just in case

 

[elsasmom]

I've had 3 Muscovy girls since they were babies and they are almost 5 now. they do frequent flyovers but never fly away. As long as they aren't overcrowded, they always come home. I waited until they were big enough to intimidate my cats before free ranging. I have lost a couple of chickens to predators in the past 4 years but never a duck.

 

[tom e]

I open the gate for them in the morning and watch them from the kitchen window while I have coffee and do homework. They play around and eat (something- can't say for sure what) and when I go outside to close it, they come running back inside on their own. I haven't noticed any less weeds yet, but they eat a GREAT deal less feed now, so I'm very happy with this..