ducklings: integrating flock, cold weather, adjusting them to cold weather

[emmad783]

the moral support from this forum has been wonderful, I need more now haha
I was told that my pekin drakes should not be allowed near my blue swedish babies until the babies are 6 months... this puts that timeline at March... that's the entire winter I will have to stress about keeping drakes away from my babies.. what do I do with this bomb??

 

[Helloworld]

I have raised Sweds. Bigger duck, feather quicker. Fully feathered around 3 months and I would not put them out before every piece of baby fuz is gone. Then they can handle temps. You will have to integrate them at the same time. Ducks don’t fight too much about order unless you have a drake on the property. I raise each set of mine with a pair of geese. Homegrown henchmen that also go with them and protect their buddies until the line is established.
But they really do well if no drake.

 

[emmad783]

I have raised Sweds. Bigger duck, feather quicker. Fully feathered around 3 months and I would not put them out before every piece of baby fuz is gone. Then they can handle temps. You will have to integrate them at the same time. Ducks don’t fight too much about order unless you have a drake on the property. I raise each set of mine with a pair of geese. Homegrown henchmen that also go with them and protect their buddies until the line is established.
But they really do well if no drake.

thank you! I was worried about putting them out too soon and this just makes me feel so much better about keeping them with me a little longer!! they still have some fuzz here and there but they’re only 6 weeks, I was figuring around 10 to start staying outside for good.
Should I re-home my drakes? I’m not strongly attached to them, but I don’t want any fighting

 

[Miss Lydia]

How many drakes do you have? The reason for keeping young females away from adult drakes is you don’t want a drake mating with a duck not mature enough for mating.

 

[emmad783]

How many drakes do you have? The reason for keeping young females away from adult drakes is you don’t want a drake mating with a duck not mature enough for mating.

I have 2, one just found himself a new home (he’s leaving Sunday!) so keeping 1 duck penned up seems less daunting, he can stay in the baby pen

 

[Miss Lydia]

There ya go now you have the ideal flock Congrats!! And when you can supervise let them all be together so they can get use to each other as a flock, and be sure to keep the pics coming too.

 

[Helloworld]

Sorry been sick..

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry been sick..

 

[emmad783]

Sorry been sick..

I hope you’re feeling better!!

 

[Helloworld]

Getting there! Thanks!