Different aged ducklings together?

[ShyanneW]

Are you all sick of me and my questions yet?

I’m getting four more ducklings on April 29th (that was the soonest my feed store could get them in, as I don’t buy my ducklings from TSC), and they’ll be a week old, potentially younger.

I have three ducklings right now that will be around 5-ish weeks old by the time the new babies get here.

Wondering if it’s okay to put them in the same brooder together? Or will the older ducklings bully the younger ones? I don’t really have the money to buy a whole other brooder set up for the new babies, so any suggestions are welcome!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Ratchnick]

I would not, for one 5 week old ducklings dont need much if any heat. Also risk of trampling.

 

[johntfs]

I wouldn't. The new babies will get trampled/squished.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can you separate your brooder an put new ones on one side.when I had 3 week olds I put newly hatched in same brooder but made a separation using a piece of hardware cloth wrapping edges in gorilla tape. This way older 2 could still see the new ones after 2 days youngest were strong on their legs an I took the mesh down those older took a few pecks next I know they are all piled together. When you do put them together you’ll just have to supervise to make sure it’s all going good. This was my brooder and I only sectioned off about a 3rd for new hatchling since I didn’t expect them to be in that part long

 

[ShyanneW]

Can you separate your brooder an put new ones on one side.when I had 3 week olds I put newly hatched in same brooder but made a separation using a piece of hardware cloth wrapping edges in gorilla tape. This way older 2 could still see the new ones after 2 days youngest were strong on their legs an I took the mesh down those older took a few pecks next I know they are all piled together. When you do put them together you’ll just have to supervise to make sure it’s all going good. This was my brooder and I only sectioned off about a 3rd for new hatchling since I didn’t expect them to be in that part longView attachment 2067968

I mean they wouldn’t have much room, but I could definitely split the brooder. This was the largest tote I could find, and the three babes I have now seem to be enjoying it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you have a large dog crate or know someone who may loan you one? You could move your older in that and have your newbies where they need the heat. Then daily let them interact. Having 5 week olds an just hatched duckling in that size container isn’t going to work your 5 weeks old will tramp on the littles not intentional but it will happen.

 

[ShyanneW]

Thank you guys! I’ll figure something else out! I kind of assumed that putting them together wouldn’t be a great idea, but it never hurts to ask!