DarkWingDuck
04-03-2009, 11:22 PM
Several months ago, I bought 3 muscovy hens. After just 2 or 3 days, they all escaped when a part of their roof collapsed during bad weather. I just wrote them off as gone and pretty much forgot about them. A few days ago, however, I discovered them swimming in an abandoned little pond in an old pasture.
I then noticed that they constantly fly between 4 neighborhood ponds (all in the same general area). I've been trying to reclaim them, but haven't managed to do so thus far. I constructed a funnel trap and tried to bait them into it with scratch feed; they showed no interest. I then tried placing one of my tame ducks into the cage to exploit their terrerorial tendencies. They quickly went toward the "intruder" and would stay next to the trap for over an hour; but they would still not go into it.
I bought a fishing-type net, but I fear a failed attempt at snagging one would result in them flying away and not returning. Since the breeding season is pretty much here, I was hoping to capture them and return them to the drake in time to hatch some duckling. Anyone have any advice on how to cature adult ducks with full flying ability?
I then noticed that they constantly fly between 4 neighborhood ponds (all in the same general area). I've been trying to reclaim them, but haven't managed to do so thus far. I constructed a funnel trap and tried to bait them into it with scratch feed; they showed no interest. I then tried placing one of my tame ducks into the cage to exploit their terrerorial tendencies. They quickly went toward the "intruder" and would stay next to the trap for over an hour; but they would still not go into it.
I bought a fishing-type net, but I fear a failed attempt at snagging one would result in them flying away and not returning. Since the breeding season is pretty much here, I was hoping to capture them and return them to the drake in time to hatch some duckling. Anyone have any advice on how to cature adult ducks with full flying ability?