Hens afriad of new Duck in flock

[Anujin]

Hi all,

We have a small urban flock of five hens (speckled sussex, buff orpington and easter egger). Earlier this week I adopted a muscovy drake from our city animal shelter, mostly to get the poor thing off of the hot concrete. Our new duck friend is quite cheerful and seems to want to hang out with the hens. We have two backyard coops with attached runs that are connected by a poultry tunnel. Each morning I open the tunnel at both ends and the duck makes a beeline for the hens' coop and all the hens freak out and fly up to the top of the coop and nervously twitter and peek out at the poor lonely duck who sits patiently in the run waiting for a friend.

Is there anything I can do to help foster confidence in the hens that the duck is not going to eat them? Do I just wait it out?

I appreciate any and all experience/tips/comments/questions.

Thanks!
Nora

 

[Top Rooster]

Don't keep the drake with the hens he could hurt them, especially if he tries to mate them ducks have different "equipment" than roosters do and it could hurt them.

 

[Anujin]

Ok, I definitely don't want them to be hurt. But don't lots of folks have mixed flocks of ducks and chickens? If we get him a couple lady ducks can they all be together?

 

[Top Rooster]

Yes as long he's only interested in the ducks not the chickens. Most people only have female ducks with chickens.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

When we got our duck, the chicken freaked out. After about a week they became friends-ish. A few years later & now their inseparable. Hope this helps!

 

[mobius]

I agree with getting another duck or two! They might then integrate better....

 

[chickens really]

Still be watching....Drakes are not picky on what they breed..Adding Duck Hens wont change his mind if he decides to breed the Chickens....Have a Plan B incase things go terribly wrong....