Now that the mallard's plumage is maturing, I now can safely say that I have 2 drakes and 3 hens. I believe they have paired up, so it's time for names.
The names I came up with are: Bill & Jill, Jake & Kate, and...... Sally ("Clueless")
I have noticed some bobbing of the heads in an up and down motion (like a jack-in-the-box). I don't know what this means in duckology, but I think it is excitement. They mostly do this when I announce that it's time to go swimming. Hmmm.
Since the Great Escape II, there has been a time when they all took flight, but just out of their pen with the pool. To my amazement, they all, but one, calmly walked back into the pen. (I had opened the door after the flight lesson). Sally ("Clueless") was the hold out. I thought it would be wise to get them indoors before the squadron decided to go again, so I got down to the pen, and placed the portable cage in front of the door and herded the 4 volunteers into the cage.
I put the cage with the ducks onto my wagon. (I bought a Radio Flyer All Terrain 4 wheel wagon because they are getting too heavy to carry in the cage.) I proceeded to take the wagon with my prisoners to the back garage door. To my amazement, there was Sally following me and the wagon to the door. I got the wagon inside and checked the door for Sally. Not there. So I looked outside and she was wandering around clueless (yup, that's why the nickname).
I went outside to see if I could guide her to the door. I spread my arms wide and walked toward her and began to herd her toward the door. As we approached, the other ducks started to talk, she heard them and jumped into the doorway and waddled over to the pen and the wagon. I calmly shut the door and gave a big sigh of relief.
Now this type of behavior is what I would expect of hand-raised ducks! I think things will settle down now, since the pairing has occurred. PLUS, I bought a cargo net and stretched it over the top of the outdoor pen. This is to keep the mischief to a minimum.
An interesting observation though. The first time the ducks went into the outdoor pen with the cargo net in place, they all STOPPED and starred at the net for a couple of minutes. Then I heard little chirping among them. I think they were discussing the new decor and what to do about it if anything. I really think they can reason and plot behind my back! Bad ducks!
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