Hi there, a mate recently got access to a pond and we are looking to release some mallard onto it. We made enquiries and we can buy some that were hatched this year but are now flying. Is it a waste of time releasing these on a pond at this stage (i.e. will they fly off never to return) or will they stay? If there is a risk of them flying off, would it be worthwhile clipping their wings to keep them around to establish some numbers. Suggestions welcome!
Releasing Fledged Ducks
- Thread starter dredlad
- Start date
I would feed the pond this year then make a proper plan for next year, that way you can improve the set up...
Shooting flappers is not much of a challenge........one other thing what have you been doing these last 8 years since joining in 2011?
Tim.243
countrryboy
Well-Known Member
U can't clip there wings this season if u want them to fly at all.
Can only clip wings pre moult ( or with pheasants clip there poult feathers not adult plumage) which only last till the moult.
Not sure the legalities or welfare implications, but in the old days ud pull pheasant wings if to mature to clip ( is primaries already blood quills) because father's had been pulled new ones would grow in
Really will depend on ur pond, some hold ducks better than others.
But just feeding should work if ur anywhere near a flight line, which will get better with time, even years as more duck learn of ur pond
Can only clip wings pre moult ( or with pheasants clip there poult feathers not adult plumage) which only last till the moult.
Not sure the legalities or welfare implications, but in the old days ud pull pheasant wings if to mature to clip ( is primaries already blood quills) because father's had been pulled new ones would grow in
Really will depend on ur pond, some hold ducks better than others.
But just feeding should work if ur anywhere near a flight line, which will get better with time, even years as more duck learn of ur pond
I think it's blown for this season. They might stay, but probably won't, or will be part time visitors. Either way, too much risk, so if you are expecting to do a bit of a duck drive, it might be a lame duck (sorry, bad pun intended). I'd go with Tim.243's plan. Feed it as frequently as you can with enough to last until your next visit and with luck, in a couple of weeks you should get a bit of a following. Then shoot it, but not too often. They say not more than once a fortnight, but I generally shoot a pond once a month.
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
if youve got a pond just start feeding it and hope some propper wild duck come in they will be free and also 100x better sport than any semi tame reared duck especially if you start getting somthing like a few teal dropping in on last light.
In the process of buying some young mallard and releasing them to the pond. Has anyone a set of plans / guideline for constructing a Pen either in a pond or constructing a pen which takes in both the bank and some of the water? Partcularly interested in how good the fencing has to be under the waterline to prevent foxes, mink or otters getting in.
Of course you can release the duck you have mentioned on to your pond. As long as you release them so they are not spooked, they will hold if there is plenty of feed and they feel safe. After a couple of days, they will consider it their home. Released duck do fly well, although sometimes they are a bit difficult to get going
As has been said, too late this season, but it's certainly worth starting to put some barley down to pull in some wild birds. Depends where you are in Ireland, but when I was there years ago there were plenty of ducks there!
Releasing ducks is not at all difficult, getting to get them to fly is another matter altogether!
Releasing ducks is not at all difficult, getting to get them to fly is another matter altogether!
The orginal post was from last year. I let out a dozen fledged ducks on it then and they disappeared after about a month but with no evidence of predation. Been feeding it since and the occasional visitor appears. I have a breeding pair of mallard on it at the moment and I’m going to add in about 30 six week olds shortly. Hence the more recent post.
Obviously the plan is to trim the foxes. I’d rather leave as little to chance as possible.
You are never going to stop predators, especially ones that can swim. Make sure that you are releasing good flappers at the very least. This will give them the best chance of escape. A low strand plus higher strand electric fence placed out from the pond will stop things circling too easily. Mink trapping and fox control a very good idea. I try to release on a good moon as thing gives the duck more chance of seeing approaching predators. Also, it is well worth spending a few evenings, tucking the duck in. They do have a habit of trying to bolt off at dusk sometimes
Used to build sectional pen on bank netted over and open ended with sections going out into shallow water. For first couple of weeks chicken wire in water across from one section to the other at open end on posts. Wire must go to bottom to stop little sods diving under.
Electric fence around bank sections, a cage and a tunnel trap against section bottoms outside duly baited for mink. After a week or two remove chicken wire and give them the pond.
Use auto feeder to keep them more nervous rather than hand feed every day. Worked well when I did it on four ponds. I didn't really enjoy reared duck drives though.
Electric fence around bank sections, a cage and a tunnel trap against section bottoms outside duly baited for mink. After a week or two remove chicken wire and give them the pond.
Use auto feeder to keep them more nervous rather than hand feed every day. Worked well when I did it on four ponds. I didn't really enjoy reared duck drives though.
Thanks horseman. That sounds similar to what I had in mind. Did you leave the pen in place for a while after you removed the wire to give them a protected bank where you could feed them or did you remove it? Have an autofeeder set up so can make use of that, they are a great bit of kit.
Left pen in place, not elec fence but still ran traps around pond. Didn't need sections until next Pheasant rearing, but need to strongly disinfect after duck use.
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