Ducklings and hen question

[Robbie3]

So I got 5 females ducklings this week to add to my flock. I already have three, 5 month old ducks. I have had to separate my only female from my males due to mating. Since my hen is the only female can I introduce her to the ducklings? Or put her with the ducklings so she’s not alone?

 

[Trisseh]

It’ll depend on a number of factors. How old are the ducklings? What kind of set up do you have to put them in? I’ve personally found that every duck is very much an individual in how they’re going to respond to newcomers. My one duck is terrified of ducklings, thinks they’re the scariest things ever, but would never purposely hurt them. My other duck made it her mission to beat up every duck smaller than her.
so it really depends on your duck. When I integrate new little ducklings, they go out around 2-3 weeks with their heat source and I pen them inside the existing pen so everyone in the flock can see them but not hurt them, even accidentally. I have a “jail” space inside my coop and once they’ve been out for a week or so, I put them in there at night so again, everyone is able to see each other safely. After a couple of weeks in there at night and in their pen outside during the day, I usually will allow supervised time together with the quietest member of the flock. I use her because once she’s fine with them, it seems everyone else just accepts it as well, even my drake. If they’re good, I put her in and keep her in with the babies for probably another 3-4 days, then set them loose when I have a bit of time to watch. I’ve never had any issues with integrating when they’ve all been in the same space for a while this way.

 

[Robbie3]

They are just a few days old. I truly have no idea how Gigi will react, this is my first flock. Thank you for you’re input. I’m gonna try that.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

i would definitely wait until they are older, at that age they should only be outside during the day while supervised. never at night.

since you only have one female older duck, and the males aren’t being very nice to her. why don’t you bring her indoors with the babies? that’s what i did with my girl to help her bond with them (put them in a brooder where she can see them, and just let her be in the same room)