Adding to a Duck flock?

[kesrchicky16]

What precautions do I need to take in merging 2 flocks is ducks? I have successfully added to chicken flocks by adopting a look and don't touch method. I have 3 ducks that are about 2 months older then the new flock of 7 or 8 ducks. I have a male and from what I can tell none of the new birds are drakes. I will be able to tell for sure when I get them as they are old enough to have sex feathers.

What do i need to look for as far as aggression? I have noticed that ducks are much more of a single flock unit rather then individuals in a group. My 3 get antsy when 1 gets distracted and doesn't walk through the gate at the same time as the others.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You'll need to introduce through fencing either put something up temp or split you run into 2 separate runs.

You can with supervision once they have lived side by side for a while let them all out together and if anything crops up that is not good your there to separate and not let anyone get hurt.

 

[kesrchicky16]

I guess I wasn't clear mine are at least 6 months. I'm getting eggs. The new ones are about 4 months so mine are 2 months older. Not 2 months old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sorry I read it wrong.

You'll still need to introduce through fencing just because your flock will look at the new ones as intruders. So I still rec all I just wrote except the part about mating younger ones. lol
It will take a while even for the females of your small flock as well as the drake to accept your new ducks sometimes it only takes a little as a week for every one to get use to each other sometimes longer you'll just have to let it play out when they are together and see how it goes.

 

[kesrchicky16]

Sounds like I should have things set up well then. Have a fence between, 2 separate ponds, 2 separate feeders, 2 separate sleeping quarters. Now just learn what aggression looks like and when that goes away start undivided I introductions.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Chasing pecking generally being too rough. There will probably be some shoving and pushing as they get their pecking order worked out but extreme aggression where feathers are being yanked out and getting bloody is not acceptable hopefully if you do it the way we talked about it will be minimum. My Muscovy's have lived together all their lives and there is still times when one will be hateful to another to the point I have to put the bully in solitary confinement for the night[ a coop I don't use for the flock to sleep in] And it mainly during breeding and broody season.

Keep us updated.

 

[chickens really]

I free range all my Birds During introductions...I still house them separately when not free ranging...I will remove my Drake so my Hens become friends first if He is being aggressive ?....Ducks are easier to integrate than Chickens...I have never had any issues....I set up lots of water stations around my yard....