When will a duck happily let her duckling leave?

[senna]

We've previously hatched our call ducks in an incubator & sold them when we felt they were ready. But this year we've had ducks that went off to nest. The ducklings are now 2 months old & I think they're ready to go, but their mum has different ideas! She's still very protective of them. At what age will she want them to leave home? Thanks 19

 

[chrismahon]

Having observed the Mallards on the canal, they fly off at 10 weeks anyway. Mother loses interest at about 4 weeks, but they do develop very quickly. I suspect she will be protective until they have matured so you will have to split them perhaps.