2 new Aylesbury girls, how do i introduce them to existing flock?

[LizzieJ]

Hi im picking up two new Aylesbury girls on tuesday evening, my existing ducks have always been together (2 drakes and one girly) and we decided to get a couple of girls to even up the stakes a bit and take the pressure off our one girl once the boys hit the hormonal stage...............Im wondering do i need to do a slow introduction the same as with the chickens or can i introduce them after a period of quarrantine? ive introduced chickens plenty of times but never ducks! Advice greatly appreciated..........Liz

 

[DuckLover3]

Hi im picking up two new Aylesbury girls on tuesday evening, my existing ducks have always been together (2 drakes and one girly) and we decided to get a couple of girls to even up the stakes a bit and take the pressure off our one girl once the boys hit the hormonal stage...............Im wondering do i need to do a slow introduction the same as with the chickens or can i introduce them after a period of quarrantine? ive introduced chickens plenty of times but never ducks! Advice greatly appreciated..........Liz

Are the new ducks adults, or ducklings? If they're adults, I don't think you should have a problem; at least, I haven't in the past. By your post, I'm guessing that the new ducks are adults, so here's what I would do: Try putting the new ducks in with your other ducks and see what happens. My ducks have always readily accepted a new duck that was an adult, but if they start attacking them, then try what you would do for chickens. If they're ducklings, this thread might be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/686376/agressive-drake

 

[LizzieJ]

Thanks for the reply, my existing ducks are 8 months old and the new ones 5 months old, im hoping that as they are all adolescents it will help!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have tried to quarantine ducks at times- but in the last few cases- I have had drakes flying over the fences to get to the flock- and happily mingled in without a second look from any of the flock- and also issues with just nowhere to put them. The most recent add I had here was an Aylesbury girl too. I had a male living with a utility pekin and she is just so tiny Monty needed a wife more his own size. We let Monty and Crumpet out of their pen and then then let Charlotte out of the carry crate- immediately Monty came over and gave her a quick bite- and then just walked off. We watched them for a while- the new girl was on the outer for a day or so- but there was never any other signs of aggression after the first nip and she is now very at home. Ducks are so much nicer to newcomers than chickens can be. If you can be 100% sure the ducks you are introducing are completely healthy - try introducing them away from current sleeping quarters- and hopefully all will go well for you. Just in case though- it may be an idea to have something arranged to keep them apart for a few days.

 

[LizzieJ]

Thanks for the reply, our existing ducks are very calm and easy to get on with, we have two drakes and one female who all get on very well (which I believe is rare) The point of getting the new girls was so that donald (our aylesbury boy) could have a wife, Rosy and jim the khaki campbells have been spotted mating so i dont want any wars between the boys as the hormones kick in.
I know that the new girls are coming from a disease free breeder he is very well known and has a fantastic reputation as a show breeder and farm stock breeder. I think i may try introducing them straight away, our ducks have lovely characters and arent agressive at all but you never know!
I think the chickens might have more to say about the new arrivals than they do!

 

[DrChickenKev]

When we've introduced new adult ducks we just put them straight in, there was a bit of pecking order to be had but nothing nasty, not like chickens where you really need to introduce them by having two pens side by side and let them become aware of each other first

 

[LizzieJ]

Thanks i wasnt sure as this is my first time introducing new ducks, the other three came as a trio when i got them and they were my first ducks. I wont be having anymore birds after this i think a round total of 11 chickens and 5 ducks is enough for a 3 bedroom semi with a large garden! lol
Discounting my fish i now have 22 pets i think my landlord might take issue with anymore lol!

 

[DrChickenKev]

Yeh, we have had a few extras recently so in total with the two dogs and two cats we have 18 chickens of various breed (12 are 6 week old chicks), three silkie chickens, and 14 Muscovy (12 are 7 week old adolescents) and due another 11 or 12 at the weekend, so in time we are looking to rehome some of our ducks and chooks either with other people, or (gulp!) to the freezer...

 

[LizzieJ]

I know the feeling! i think i may have to bribe my landlord lol

 

[DrChickenKev]

I know the feeling! i think i may have to bribe my landlord lol

...to do the dirty deed??

Our landlord is pretty good and is rather interested in what he calls our 'experiment' to slowly move towards a bit of self-sufficiency

However, I've not had the opportunity or need to dispatch before, so we shall see when the time comes in the next month or so