Will domestically raised ducks fly away?

[Eilsel]

Hello all! I'm currently raising 6 chicks, but my hair-brained little brother decided to buy two mallard ducklings and raise them in his dorm room (don't even get me started) "until they get too obnoxious to keep in there" so I'm sure they will end up at my house in very short order. I have a pond and was actually planning on getting a few ducks next year, once I was a seasoned chicken keeper . I plan on having a small, predator-proof duck coop to lock them in at night, but I want them to free-range during the day once they are grown enough.

Here's my question: Our pond has wild waterfowl that come through regularly (a pair of adorable Teals have taken up residence here in the last week ) What's the likelihood that "my" ducks will fly off with a traveling wild flock?

Any other thoughts or tips are welcome!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Mallards can fly well.

They may choose to stay or go. I know they often have a toe punched to identify them as domestic from wild.

You may be able to clip the wings to keep them grounded but it has to be done with each molt I think.

But I don't know what the chances of them flying off with another set of ducks would be.

Hope your chicks and adventure are fantastic!

 

[chickens really]

Domestic Mallards are no different than raising Calls. The instincts to migrate are gone. They can fly although a bit heavier than the wild Mallard so get lift off but never too far. I raise Call and never clip wings. My pens are covered..

 

[Alaskan]

If your birds can fly and are not kept penned up there is a huge risk that at some point they will fly away.