Can I add the bantam ducklings in with the standard size ducklings?

[EllyMae]

They are all the same age, just a major size difference. I have them in pens that are right next to each other so they can socialize through the fence. Infact, one of the rouen ducklings is constantly sitting at the fence "talking" to the three bantam ducklings...and they like "talking" to the rouen, LOL.
My only worry is they are really small compared to the two pekin ducklings I have. All of the ducks are the same age-4wks old. My duck house will be finished soon and I really hope to have them all together so they can share the fenced yard and coop.

 

[Wifezilla]

I would wait until they are a little more coordinated. That rouen might accidentally squish your bantams.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

at 4 weeks old the call ducklings should have plenty of balance and since they are only seperated by wire I would try it, just keep an eye on them. We have raised standard ducks with call ducks before. We put the new hatched standard babies in with 2 week old callducks.

 

[CityChicker]

In my experience, you an keep them together while they are still very little babies and once they are adults (if and only if you have adequate room and feed stations). When they are in the "in between" stage from about 2-12 weeks while they are skyrocketing in growth, I would definitely not house them together. The full size ducks can quite easily trample the bantams.

 

[Wifezilla]

If it was a call duck and a khaki or a runner, I wouldn't worry...but do have any idea how big those rouen's get? I was rather surprised! LOL

 

[EllyMae]

Rouens are getting pretty good size to them, and the Pekins...WHOA, those babies are BIG. My australian spotted bantams look so petite and fragile compared to them.
Wifezilla, you are right...if it was just khakis or runners, I wouldn't hesitate. My two khakis look like the runts compared to the pekins and rouens, lol.

 

[cgjsmith]

I just tried that. I got runner ducks with black east indies and just lost the last BEI because of the runner ducks size. They would try and huddle and just smush the BEI's. I would keep them seperate until they were adults and didn't need to huddle for warmth. Crystal

 

[CityChicker]

I lost a BEI too. They were in a rather large brooder with two Runners, two Anconas, a Dutch Hookbill, and about twenty assorted bantams. In their excited "feeding frenzy", they stepped on her and she was gone in a second.

 

[EllyMae]

Thanks for all the good advice and info. I'll keep them separated for a while longer. GOOD NEWS!!! MY DUCK HOUSE IS NOW FINISHED!!!

 

[asher]

No clue, Beth, but I want to see new pics of the babies please?

Mine is getting huge (well, for a bantam!

), but not feathering out much. Cannot wait to figure out the gender. Any clue on yours, yet?