Duck gangs

Hi,

We have two generations of ducks. The first generation (4 ducks) hatched the second generation (10 ducks), but due to a cold snap, we brought the hatchlings inside and raised them in the brooder box, so the big ones didn't get to raise them as their own.

Now that the second generation has grown (they are almost 4 months now), we have started letting them outside in the run area with the others. At best, they ignore each other, at worst, the older ducks will charge them, chase them, grab at their feathers, and otherwise attack them. At least it looks like an attack.

It's been several weeks now and we are no closer to integration. We pen up the old drake since he is the most aggressive toward the young ones, but still we have to separate little gangs of ducks that don't come near each other except to attack.

Should I worry? What should I do? Right now we have to keep them separate when we are not observing them, which means twice the work to maintain two different duck operations.

How have found ducks can be way harder sometimes at introducing.The drake will need to stay seperate,I know exactly what he is doing,have had thag problem several times.Orher then that,I think you will be safe letting them just worl things out may be best.It may take several months or nearly a year for them to actually join up,I had two ducks who it took just a few months to stop being targeted and nearly a year to just join up.
If they are mating,add a pool in there,that always helps to make fun and brings them closer.

Hello...

With breeding season in full swing its hard to introduce Drakes to anything.......
Mine are little hormonal Bombs right now...lol.........My Hens are extremely flirty and run to the other pens with Drakes and their Drake fights at the fences to get the Drake in the pen....I free range them all at separate times.........Wild bachelor Mallard Drakes fly into my yard to try and get my Hens.....You might have better luck once the hormones go down...

Best wishes...

Thanks to both of you... it's helpful to know that I'm not doing anything wrong. When you say I have to keep the drake separated, does that mean indefinitely? Or just until "mating season" ends?

When is that, exactly? Our drake acts like it's always mating season.

That's just the thing..........Some Drakes are randy buggers and never calm down.....

Breeding season here is from March till mid to end of June.......DW my Appleyard Drake might never calm down........

apan said:

Thanks to both of you... it's helpful to know that I'm not doing anything wrong. When you say I have to keep the drake separated, does that mean indefinitely? Or just until "mating season" ends?

When is that, exactly? Our drake acts like it's always mating season.

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One thing I have noticed is it may not end for awhile.You will defiantly need to wait awhile till introducing him agian.He will rape any of themm,regardless of the sex.So this could be a long process.Generally around Septemebr or fall months they tend to calm down.But,by Feb or march thier hype again.Over time they mau join up but will likely all have their own cliques come spring.Deoending on how many drakes.I have two groups who were a group,then they started battling and raping hens so they are literally divided when free ranging and even in the run.So dont expect them to always be stuck together.Thet will also switch up females and some hens will be left with noone to flock with,that is just the way things play out.

I have two cliques.One is with a goose a pekin drake and his hen that he and the gander share.Then our group with 3 little ancons.They are the weaker ones of the yard.Each have their own groups.But,spring time fighting and raping cause weaker ducks to wander farther.I had whole ke flock of about 10 maybe 12 wander off because 3 ruthless drakes raped our hens and outnumbered our other 2 drakes,they did come back but left our yard all the time,we did adventually get rid of the 3,sometimes too many drakes causes chaos.I think your issue will work out as long as your drake is separated.

What do you know, you were right. We finished the pond for the ducks and I think it brought them together. No fighting. They are all usually in one happy swimming group now.