Stopping ducks from flying ?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone

I have some mandarin ducks hatching soon. But i'm concerned about my ducks being able to fly away to my neighbors garden when they get older ? I am trying to decide about the best method to help keep them from flying i have read a little bit about pinioning & wing clipping but cannot decide which is the best to stop the birds from flying away. How effective is wing clipping ? And is pinioning very expensive if carried out by a vet ? I have heard that pinioning is to be carried out in the first couple of days of hatch ? Just wondered what everyone else does on here with there ducks ?

Thanks John

 

[Davidd]

Hello, you can either get them pinioned or keep them in a covered run- wing clipping is not too good an idea with wildfowl- you need to do it every year and if you don't know what your doing it can look a mess and the birds can still fly. I don't know what a vet would charge but you could ask- and yes it has to be done a few days old. I would go for pinioining or a large covered run.
regards, David

 

[Tim]

There is a leaflet you can get on pinoning from the British Waterfowl Association - It is not available on their website, you will have to request it. It is very good.

It is very easy to do yourself and the leaflet shows exactly how to do it. You will need some sharp snips - small sharp wire cutters are ideal and it must be done in the first day or two as Davidd says.

If you want the vet to do it, I would take in this leaflet to show them..

With wildfowl, most are pinioned since they can fly so well - wing clipping may work of sorts for a while but as soon as they moult and regrow feathers, you can't clip the growing feathers whilst the quills are full of blood and they will soon be able to fly again during this period.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you David & Tim for both your replies. I will be keeping the birds inside a medium sized fully enclosed area with a pond enclosed. But was hoping it might be possible to let the birds out into the garden to allow them more unrestricted space to graze & Explorer. I will contact the British Waterfowl Association Tim & ask for a copy of the leaflet thank for that. Will also pop into my vet & as them about pinioning & see what they say thank you both for your help.

I have decided to just keep the ducks inside an enclosed aviary i can increase the size if needed later on. Thanks David & tim for your help.

Regards John