A wild mallard nested on top of my straw stack and hatched off her brood. However on leaving here for the nearest pond, a quarter of a mile away, she left two ducklings behind and never came back for them.
They were gathered up to prevent being a snack for the greyhound and put in a coup on the lawn as we had no idea which of the ducks on the pond were the parents. I got some chick crumbs and mealworms and they have thrived. They are now 25 days old and starting to feather up. I am feeding growers pellets and mealworms and whilst they are ok with me moving around the pen I would not call them tame.
I noticed that the parent ducks are once again forageing around the paddock so I think that mum must be getting a second nest going having lost the rest of her brood.
At what age/stage should I start leaving the pen gate open for the young ones to wander off? I will be quite happy to feed them all winter if need be. I presume I wait until they are at least fully feathered and wanting to fly before I give them their freedom.