adding new ducks to flock

[maryanng]

I have 9 ducks that are 7 weeks and 4 that are 6 weeks old. All females.
I have been putting my 3 4 week Cayuga's in a pen in the duck yard for about a week so they can all see each other. I decided to mix them all together this morning. It is going ok except for the Rouen who is at the top of the pecking order and she is upset. She put's her head down and chases them. Can she hurt them? I know she is just trying to maintain her place. She is one of the 6 week old ones. How long will this continue?

 

[Susan12]

I put mine together when babies have adult feathers,we have never had any get injured.watch them if they get too rough you might have to wait till they are bigger.

 

[Susan12]

My ducks usually are all good after a day or two.

 

[maryanng]

The Rouen is the one that is most unhappy. She is one of the 6 week old ones. The Black Swedish seems to like them. They are kind of staying hidden behind a small chicken house for now.

 

[maryanng]

Do you think I should separate them again tonight? We have been taking the Cayuga's back to the brooder tank in the garage at night.

 

[Susan12]

It might be best till you are sure they are getting along.

 

[maryanng]

Ok Thanks. Never had ducks before. But have raised a lot of chickens.

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Once you decide to integrate you should not continue to separate them because they start the pecking order process over again each time they are put back together...as long as there is plenty of space for retreat they will get the picture and give dominant duck space they should not hurt each other aside from maybe some feather pulling

 

[maryanng]

Once you decide to integrate you should not continue to separate them because they start the pecking order process over again each time they are put back together...as long as there is plenty of space for retreat they will get the picture and give dominant duck space they should not hurt each other aside from maybe some feather pulling[/QUOTE

 

[maryanng]

Ok Thanks. I am just tired of carrying them back and forth to the garage morning and night. So far it is going pretty well. Did not know if they could kill them like chickens can kill young ones.
I have 4 magpie ducks that are 2 weeks old and will not try to integrate them for a few more weeks.