Adding new rescue muscovies to backyard flock

[MyGooseGrayson]

So it’s been over a month now and honestly they’re not integrating as well as it looked like they would early on. The original ducks will chase the muscovies and drive them away whenever the two groups cross paths in the yard. Interestingly the one girl original duck is the worst about this, and the top male. The other three boys are mostly chill about it. The goose will either be the first one to chase them, or sometimes she’ll stop the other ducks from carrying on too far.
They sleep in different areas which works quite well. The originals get the coop, and the muscovies have half the run sectioned off with a door, with two cozy sleeping spots. Last night however, two of the muscovies accidentally ended up in the coop overnight! Everyone was a bit frazzled this morning after that but it seems ok. The muscovies get let out about an hour before the others to have some alone time in the yard, to eat and forage and swim in peace. They also put themselves to bed quite a bit earlier than the originals get put away, so both groups end up getting some alone free time. The only time they actually get close to each other without chasing is if there’s a perceived threat (seagulls overhead, the cat walking across the porch, neighbour cleaning his boat outside). Then they’ll all group up.
Will it get better?? I know that impossible to know… but I just hope that eventually they’ll be able to coexist peacefully without harassing each other!!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Mine usually keep to themselves, Muscovy together, other ducks together. Except for Starling, the Cayuga/Magpie cross who was raised with Muscovy duckling step-siblings.

How big is the yard/run? Mine have about an acre of mostly-cleared land to run around. I have the occasional squabbles but overall it's peaceful.

Where in Canada are you? (naming one Tiny Timbit gave it away)

 

[Luv Ducks]

Gosh I hated to hear this about your Muscovies. What are your other types of ducks? Your Goose may be the leader of the pack in all of this. Once mine see one of the others doing something they often will join in. It seems like your Goose is guiding the others and they are just following since it seems to start the problem. Mine are in with Mallards, Khaki Campbells, Rouens and a Mule duck with no problems at all. I even just let a new one in the pen about a week ago with no introduction and everyone was fine with both her and the new Khaki Campbell that went in with her. I must be very lucky. Mine are also in with 4 little drake Call ducks. I hope yours eventually settle down but I still think your Goose in the ring leader.

 

[MyGooseGrayson]

Mine usually keep to themselves, Muscovy together, other ducks together. Except for Starling, the Cayuga/Magpie cross who was raised with Muscovy duckling step-siblings.

How big is the yard/run? Mine have about an acre of mostly-cleared land to run around. I have the occasional squabbles but overall it's peaceful.

Where in Canada are you? (naming one Tiny Timbit gave it away)

It’s a good-sized backyard… I’m not sure how big actually! The run is 8’x16’ but they don’t get kept in there unless there’s some particular reason.
I’m in southern ON! Campbellford, about 90min NE of Toronto. Are you also a Canadian?

Gosh I hated to hear this about your Muscovies. What are your other types of ducks? Your Goose may be the leader of the pack in all of this. Once mine see one of the others doing something they often will join in. It seems like your Goose is guiding the others and they are just following since it seems to start the problem. Mine are in with Mallards, Khaki Campbells, Rouens and a Mule duck with no problems at all. I even just let a new one in the pen about a week ago with no introduction and everyone was fine with both her and the new Khaki Campbell that went in with her. I must be very lucky. Mine are also in with 4 little drake Call ducks. I hope yours eventually settle down but I still think your Goose in the ring leader.

I have a call, a Cayuga, two runners, and probably a Cayuga mix. Gracie goose is a Sebastopol or Sebastopol mix (they’re all rescue so I don’t know for sure). Gracie is generally the leader of the pack, but she hardly ever starts the problems. It’s usually Spinach and/or Lettuce, the two runner ducks, the female and the most dominant male. Is there anything different I can do if Goose is problematic? She was raised with the ducks and they’re a very tight knit little flock. She’s also the most tame and will come when called- I can call her if she’s bothering the muscovies (or generally getting into goose mischief) and she will leave it alone! She’s a very good goose.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I'm sorry I guess when I read that you said that the Goose is usually the first one to chase them that the Goose was the problem. If it is not then there would be no need to separate them. If it is the first one to go after them however, I would put the Goose in a separate pen maybe just for a day or so just to see if the negative action still goes on. Maybe it would be if it were me I would want to see. Just maybe something to think about.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Oh, you're less than two hours away from me! I'm in a small town in the middle of nowhere called Ompah.

I'm not sure how to fix your problem... I'm like Luv Ducks, and have had very few squabbles at all. I have more issues with the chickens.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Oh, you're less than two hours away from me! I'm in a small town in the middle of nowhere called Ompah.

I'm not sure how to fix your problem... I'm like Luv Ducks, and have had very few squabbles at all. I have more issues with the chickens.

The picture you have by your name is absolutely beautiful!!! Is that a Muscovy Hen. It looks a lot like my Mule duck only she has the Rouen head and the beautiful gray body like yours.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runner drake is my biggest stinker he cannot leave the Muscovy females alone just 2 of them since they will run from him. Even my Runner females will bully but the don’t attack. My Muscovy drake just stands and watches. My goose hangs with the Runners and Buffs since she lost her gander. My Muscovy have their own house and my chickens goose and other ducks have their own house.