Duck Integration Problems

[DuckQs]

Hello. I have 4 hens 1.5 years old (3 pekins, 1 harlequin). They are fairly skittish and always have been. I recently got 3 more ducklings (khaki, harlequin, cayuga) that I raised in my house until about 5 weeks old when I moved them outside into their own pen and both sets could see each other. After about a week I let the ducklings roam the yard to try and let the groups integrate but my older ducks are absolutely terrified of my ducklings. They will run away so fast from the ducklings. Not to help the situation, but I have seen the ducklings try to peck every now and then if they can catch up to the older ducks. It's been a couple weeks of no success at integration. They are still sleeping in different pens but I would love to have everyone sleep in the same duck house. I don't really even care if they split up during the day.

Is this a phase that I need to wait out? Should I try immersion therapy in small quarters that I supervise? Any tips?

 

[deer trail duck farms]

there establishing a pecking order. its going to happen now or later. you will have varying responses about this. but personally i find if you just do it put them together and leave them they get over it fast. obviously a little supervision for awhile to make sure they don't get to aggressive

 

[igorsMistress]

Hello, welcome to BYC. It's a phase, just give them time. Maybe keep them separated a little longer so they can see but not touch and get used to each other a bit more before letting them roam together. Once you've done that, try getting them to eat together. Whether you throw out some food or a favorite treat doesn't matter but make sure it's when they're hungry. I've found that this to be a great way to get everyone together. Hunger or the desire for that special treat makes everyone forget they don't know each other. Good luck!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Just wait it out. They may never be 100% best friends and I have found the groups still tend to remain in cliques, but what you are seeing is very normal and expected with duck integration.

 

[DuckQs]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[FNF]

Thanks for the replies!

Going through this with my three year old runners and three two-month old runner ducklings

 

[DuckQs]

Going through this with my three year old runners and three two-month old runner ducklings

It's not rainbows and butterflies like i thought it would be. It's been over 2 weeks for me and the older ones still get scared and run away when the groups get too close. BUT the radius of getting scared is getting smaller it feels like. Hopefully long term exposure will take its course.

I just want them to share the duck house...

 

[Jenbirdee]

It's not rainbows and butterflies like i thought it would be. It's been over 2 weeks for me and the older ones still get scared and run away when the groups get too close. BUT the radius of getting scared is getting smaller it feels like. Hopefully long term exposure will take its course.

I just want them to share the duck house...

View attachment 3904485

what a pretty duck house!

 

[DuckQs]

ha! thanks. My wife is definitely the artistic one. but lots of time spent on that, so definitely want all the ducks to use it!!

 

[FNF]

It's not rainbows and butterflies like i thought it would be. It's been over 2 weeks for me and the older ones still get scared and run away when the groups get too close. BUT the radius of getting scared is getting smaller it feels like. Hopefully long term exposure will take its course.

I just want them to share the duck house...

View attachment 3904485

Same here. It's been a few weeks for mine, and agree that they get closer without running away from the babies while out and about in their large area, but they still don't seem like they'll be okay if I close them into their duck house without the divider. And I'm so ready to not have to do that!!