Wing clipping, how difficult, how often?

[Stoney Meadow Maple]

I love Malards, but have avoided them because of the whole flying deal, it is just a whole other level of something to worry about. Is wing clipping a big deal and does it need to be done a lot? Or is it a couple times a year routine that wouldn’t be really difficult?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I wait till after their big molt to clip a wing This is with Muscovy they have their big molt in the fall. It only has to be done 1X a year. Not sure about Mallards. It's easy to clip and there are diagrams online.

 

[Quatie]

It is really easy to clip their wings. When they molt and drop all their wing feathers, you know you will be clipping again soon. You won't likely be clipping them all at once. One here and there as they need it. It should only be once a year, unless they have an unusual molt.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I love Malards, but have avoided them because of the whole flying deal, it is just a whole other level of something to worry about. Is wing clipping a big deal and does it need to be done a lot? Or is it a couple times a year routine that wouldn’t be really difficult?

The main part that's a pain, is catching and handling the birds to do it, so the friendlier they are, the easier it will be. Shouldn't be too hard overall, and since only a once a year thing, I wouldn't let it deter you from the breed.
My girls (not mallards) can't fly higher than a metre, but I will eventually be getting muscovies so I'll have to deal with this eventually