They can't fly...? Really?

[nao57]

So when you look at websites and stuff they say that domesticated ducks can't fly. If I look up runner ducks it says they can't fly.

But my runner ducks when I go to feed and let them out in the morning, more and more lately they've been doing little hop jumps out of their pen in an effort to get the food earlier than the others. Its not quite a flight, but its more than a hop, like a flight jump that's not very long lasting usually less than 10 feet long, and about 3 1/2 feet up (higher than the partition). At this point, I have not encouraged any time of flight building exercises.

This makes me wonder if this is really true that they can't fly.

(Although I would definitely say my pekings are too heavy to fly...)

Is this sometimes wrong?

 

[3bird]

Start watching at 0:27

These guys jump for soup, and they love to run into a strong wind and flap their wings. They sometimes even get a little lift, but no true flying. Granted, this is a large breed, but interestingly, it's our big drake who can get the most lift, not our smaller girls.

 

[cinnamoncockatiel]

So when you look at websites and stuff they say that domesticated ducks can't fly. If I look up runner ducks it says they can't fly.

But my runner ducks when I go to feed and let them out in the morning, more and more lately they've been doing little hop jumps out of their pen in an effort to get the food earlier than the others. Its not quite a flight, but its more than a hop, like a flight jump that's not very long lasting usually less than 10 feet long, and about 3 1/2 feet up (higher than the partition). At this point, I have not encouraged any time of flight building exercises.

This makes me wonder if this is really true that they can't fly.

(Although I would definitely say my pekings are too heavy to fly...)

Is this sometimes wrong?

Domesticated ducks can fly. Some better than others, some not at all. My Chocolate Runner drake fly hops like yours. It is not very high and not very far. He can fly over very tall fences with ease.

 

[Percipen]

There was a similar post a few days ago. My runner drake can get himself maybe 5 or 6 ft off the ground and fly maybe 10 ft out. And 2 of my girls can get about 3 or 4 ft high for a good 20 feet stretch. Then I have 1 girl (the drakes sister) that has no interest in flying. I dont know why some people insist they cant fly bc they definitely can.

 

[Percipen]

This is what my girls do, although I've never seen them fly as far as these 2

 

[KaleIAm]

My ducks can jump up, flap, and glide. This morning my khaki was so excited to start the day that she, "flew," to the top of the barn and then outside. When I call them they can even, "fly," across the yard to me. But they don't fly like I see the wild mallards doing, it's very different.

Of course, I can only speak for my own experiences with my birds.

 

[nao57]

Wow.

Amazing!

I like it. Too many things here to comment on. But seeing it in some of your videos really made a difference. It does look like they could be encouraged and trained to fly.

The vid with those 2 that flew a long time was quite surprising also.

Those appleyards sure look like welsh harleys ...

Ducks sure are a lot of fun.

 

[3xhhheather]

My Anconas can 100% fly, with my drake being able to hover and change direction during flight. I do agree with @KaleIAm that it is different from the wild ducks I see flying, mine have way more wing movement if that makes sense?

Now my Swedish Black girls can barely hop, it's pretty comical watching them try to keep up with the Anconas

 

[nao57]

My Anconas can 100% fly, with my drake being able to hover and change direction during flight. I do agree with @KaleIAm that it is different from the wild ducks I see flying, mine have way more wing movement if that makes sense?

Now my Swedish Black girls can barely hop, it's pretty comical watching them try to keep up with the Anconas

Are swedish black as friendly as swedish blue? (Ppl say swedish blue are friendly often. But I didn't know if that also carries over for the other type with black colors.)

 

[3xhhheather]

Are swedish black as friendly as swedish blue? (Ppl say swedish blue are friendly often. But I didn't know if that also carries over for the other type with black colors.)

If I remember correctly Swedish Black were like a 2 on the Metzer temperament scale (1 being a Pekin) and the Blue’s were a 3? I ordered some Blues for this spring, I’m hoping they’re as friendly because my current girls are A+