Duckings and chicks problem

[Mommysongbird]

Hi, we have ducklings and chicks in brooder boxes right now. One duckling was put in with the chicks, bantams about 4 weeks old and red sex link pullets about 5 weeks old (the ducks are about 5 weeks old too). The chicks and duck were fine up until about a week or so ago.

The chicks started to pluck the feathers out of the ducklings back, we thought it was the bigger chicks so we seperatted them and left the duck in with the bantams. But the bantams are doing the same thing. We also tried putting the duckling in with the other ducklings, but they would not accept that. Now he is in a box by himself and I have to figure out a way to feed and water and put a light on him. I am out of feeders and waters and lights at the moment until I can get to town this evening or tomorrow and I cannot call anyone to see if they can go get what I need.

So first of all, if there something that we can put on the duck so that the chicks don't peck at him? Can he go back in with the chicks later after his feathers have grown back in? Is there a way to intergrate him back in with the ducks for their remaining time in the brooder boxes?? And how do I intergrate them all when its time to go out to the coop???

And by the way, this is our first time with ducks.

 

[Megan Amber]

A very common problem! Do you have anything that you could use to separate the duck brooder in half with? Cardboard works pretty good but so does anything really. Keeping him in but yet not in with the ducks would allow them to hear each other and begin to get used to each. Then you could let him out with the other ducks under supervision and then work on integration slowly but still have a nice warm spot for the lonely little guy!

 

[horsemom1326]

If the divider idea works, try rotating one chick at a time in with the duckling to see if you can find one that doesn't abuse him so he won't be alone. Maybe a chick or two would be more accepting.without a gang backing them up

 

[Mommysongbird]

The only problem is there food and water. They are in a 50 Gallon (?) tote and I keep their water on one end and food on the other, so they don't make mess and waste food.

 

[Mommysongbird]

I went and got some Blu-Kote and put on the duckling and the bantams are back in with him/her and they all are calm and quiet as usual and all seem well, we will just have to watch them to see what they will do.

 

[Megan Amber]

Well then you could try a wall cubicle and then give lone duck a small bowl of water and another of feed. Having it on the side still allows them to run back and forth.