It took them about an hour to actually step outside the cage for more than two seconds, but they did both eat and drink without heart attacks. And the next day they walked right out, even tho the food was a yard from the door. And they stayed out to enjoy the lovely organic slugs, with periodic hysterical retreats. “oh my god, that leaf blew around and tried to kill us! Help! Help! RUNNNNNNN!”

In a few days the poor dears were hanging out in the furthest corners of the garden for minutes at a time, and only ran back in when I made threatening movements (as in, I walked in their direction). They are much happier ducks now, even tho my sister is convinced they will be eaten by hawks and eagles that will swoop into the tiny garden enclosed in 20 foot fencing with dogs next door, when there are hundreds of wild ducks on the lagoon nearby.