Anujin
In the Brooder
- Jun 8, 2016
- 20
- 3
- 32
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
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