Receiving a mallard duckling today- will it fly away?

[KatieAnnFrench]

My friend had a family of mallards move into their pool area. She plans to let them live there until the ducklings grow up and fly away. However, one of the ducklings was rejected by it’s mom, so I offered to raise it. I have chickens and geese already, but none of those can fly (the geese are emden and too heavy to fly). I’m wondering if the mallard will fly away one day when it’s grown? Does anyone have mallards?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Hi! It'd probably be a good idea to look into the legality of keeping this duckling. If it's indeed wild, they're protected and there are laws protecting them. It may be best to find a rehabilitator to take the duckling in. With that said, I have a domestic Mallard and he could fly off but doesn't. He's pretty dedicated to his flock here that consists of birds that aren't capable of taking actual flight. I hope I don't come across as rude or anything because I promise I am being genuinely kind and wishing the best for you, your existing flock and this duckling.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@Miss Lydia

 

[KatieAnnFrench]

Hi! It'd probably be a good idea to look into the legality of keeping this ducklings. If it's indeed wild, they're protected and there are laws protecting them. It may be best to find a rehabilitator to take the duckling in. With that said, I have a domestic Mallard and he could fly off but doesn't. He's pretty dedicated to his flock here that consists of birds that aren't capable of taking actual flight. I hope I don't come across as rude or anything because I promise I am being genuinely kind and wishing the best for you, your existing flock and this duckling.

Thank you! What is the difference between a domestic and wild mallard? We were going to call a wildlife rehabilitator to take the whole family of ducks, but once the family left and the one duckling remained we revised our plan.

 

[416bigbore]

Please keep us all posted as to what they tell you. Where are you located?

 

[wilwingswaterfowl]

I've raised two Mallard rescues at different times. The first did live with the Khaki Campbells when he was old enough. He would hang with us come to my wife even when flying around the yard. When fall came he left as it should be. He comes back every year with a mate for a bit in the spring and sometimes nests in the pool area. The second was really close to us but when the urge came to migrate he was gone and we never saw him again.

 

[Maddog_photog]

I've raised two Mallard rescues at different times. The first did live with the Khaki Campbells when he was old enough. He would hang with us come to my wife even when flying around the yard. When fall came he left as it should be. He comes back every year with a mate for a bit in the spring and sometimes nests in the pool area. The second was really close to us but when the urge came to migrate he was gone and we never saw him again.

This is interesting to me! I’m expecting a couple mallard ducklings so this is good to know. I am reading Storey’s guide to Raising Ducks, and Dave Holderread says in 50 years he’s never lost a duck due to its flying away.

 

[wilwingswaterfowl]

Here is a quick video of Shadow and his mate that I raised years earlier visiting Gizmo when he was a juvenile. All these birds could fly at this point. I see shadow every spring and never saw Gizmo after he left.

 

[budstone23]

My friend had a family of mallards move into their pool area. She plans to let them live there until the ducklings grow up and fly away. However, one of the ducklings was rejected by it’s mom, so I offered to raise it. I have chickens and geese already, but none of those can fly (the geese are emden and too heavy to fly). I’m wondering if the mallard will fly away one day when it’s grown? Does anyone have mallards?

Hello: One Mother Mallard and her 10 ducklings came into our backyard because of the pool. They are now 7 weeks and 4 days old. I am waiting for them to fly, but I am hoping that they are not too fat. How do I find out if their too fat? I am worried that I screwed things up by overfeeding them. The owner of the property said if they don;'t fly by Tuesday, (its Sunday) she is going to hire someone to take them away. What to do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are they fully feathered? If not ask her if she'll give them another week. Thats so sad she would do that and not give them a chance to leave on their own. Can you post pictures?

They won't fly until they have their flight feathers completely grown in.