Ducklings integration surprise 🤣

[FNF]

Big update...it's only been one night but trending upward!

I finally had enough of putting in and taking out a divider every night. So I asked my husband to make a new one that has a door in it. Sooooo now it's a two-bedroom house . My thinking was they'd have the option of feeling safer with the divider (still with mesh windows for visibility) but can go in and out of both sides. The other advantage is I have an auto door on the house into the run and now all six can go out when that door opens, as opposed to just the three on the side with the door in it. I put a little curtain on the divider door too, which they are used to already from the run door.

I am of course obsessed and have a Ring camera in there to see how they did. I wasn't sure what to expect but...they did great! I looked at some of the movement captures from last night and attached some screenshots - both older and younger ducks ventured from one side to the other a few times, and I didn't see any outright picking on or chasing around or panic. Everyone seemed pretty cool which is a relief. So I'll go with this for as long as needed. Maybe this winter they'll make a duck pile for warmth and at that point it can come out but for now it seems to be the simplest way to go.

 

[CoriM]

That’s awesome!

 

[Jlw0903]

I like the idea of having

Big update...it's only been one night but trending upward!

I finally had enough of putting in and taking out a divider every night. So I asked my husband to make a new one that has a door in it. Sooooo now it's a two-bedroom house . My thinking was they'd have the option of feeling safer with the divider (still with mesh windows for visibility) but can go in and out of both sides. The other advantage is I have an auto door on the house into the run and now all six can go out when that door opens, as opposed to just the three on the side with the door in it. I put a little curtain on the divider door too, which they are used to already from the run door.

I am of course obsessed and have a Ring camera in there to see how they did. I wasn't sure what to expect but...they did great! I looked at some of the movement captures from last night and attached some screenshots - both older and younger ducks ventured from one side to the other a few times, and I didn't see any outright picking on or chasing around or panic. Everyone seemed pretty cool which is a relief. So I'll go with this for as long as needed. Maybe this winter they'll make a duck pile for warmth and at that point it can come out but for now it seems to be the simplest way to go.

a partial divide. I might make that my next step. They tolerate each other with the chicken wire there. One night Darla was even right next to the ducklings without getting cranky but they still chase each other a lot and don't tolerate being too close to each other. Im not fully ready to force them together tho I think that might have to happen. Unfortunately my drake some how hurt his foot (my guess is either from chasing or being chased by the ducklings ) so I'll wait till he's better first.

 

[FNF]

I like the idea of having

a partial divide. I might make that my next step. They tolerate each other with the chicken wire there. One night Darla was even right next to the ducklings without getting cranky but they still chase each other a lot and don't tolerate being too close to each other. Im not fully ready to force them together tho I think that might have to happen. Unfortunately my drake some how hurt his foot (my guess is either from chasing or being chased by the ducklings ) so I'll wait till he's better first.

That's too bad about your drake! So far this is working well for my six thankfully. I still spy on them and while the ducklings seem to pick where they want to be (and the older ladies give in), everyone settles down okay. I have seen a little mild chasing but not panic or injury or anything. The funny side effect is that I have a cooler on its side in there - I put it in during winter for extra hunker down space but they like it so I left it in. That's also where the older three typically lay their eggs. The babies seem to like it too which means they take it over, so now I have an Easter egg hunt - one in the cooler after the door opens, one outside, one TBD. I may need another cooler on the other side!

 

[Jlw0903]

That's too bad about your drake! So far this is working well for my six thankfully. I still spy on them and while the ducklings seem to pick where they want to be (and the older ladies give in), everyone settles down okay. I have seen a little mild chasing but not panic or injury or anything. The funny side effect is that I have a cooler on its side in there - I put it in during winter for extra hunker down space but they like it so I left it in. That's also where the older three typically lay their eggs. The babies seem to like it too which means they take it over, so now I have an Easter egg hunt - one in the cooler after the door opens, one outside, one TBD. I may need another cooler on the other side!

Glad we are having similar experiences. I'd be in a panic otherwise that I messed something up. I think I'll have to get a cooler as well to see if they like it! That's a great idea.

 

[FNF]

Glad we are having similar experiences. I'd be in a panic otherwise that I messed something up. I think I'll have to get a cooler as well to see if they like it! That's a great idea.

I know. Everything I read said ducks were easy to integrate but doesn't seem to apply 100% of the time. I'll consider it a success when all six share their duck pond at once but for now at least there's relative peace in the land and they can share their house at night. I'm sure you'll have the same!

 

[FNF]

Just today - doing very well now.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

This was so interesting to read! I only have chickens but I do love ducks!

 

[CoriM]

Just today - doing very well now.

Everytime it seems impossible, and then it works! I'm so glad they're doing well!

 

[Jlw0903]

Mine are still not 100% getting along yet. We had them in the hut together with a divider for about a week and a half and then took it down. Much chasing occured. My Toke and Darla still chase the ducklings and Darla will grab the back of the two of the little ones heads but nothing serious occurs. It's like reality TV to watch them honestly. Darla and Toke chase the little ones (though they both seem more tolerant on the blue swedish, Dori) until the roens gets sick of the commotion and go after Darla and Toke.
When outside Buttercup seems to want to be friends with the young ones but the babies (mostly Beez and Mable) chase them off, the roens don't fight back and just run away and that triggers Darla and Toke to go after them. So much Drama!!!

But overall they are getting better day by day a little at a time. The other night Toke allowed the little ones to dig around in the straw instead of keeping them in time out in the corner and today was the first time I saw Buttercup in the pool with one of the little ones and Darla is chasing them with less enthusiasm and will sometimes tolerate them napping near where she is napping.

We are almost there! My assumption is that when winter hits they will albe more than happy to snuggle up together to stay warm (especially Darla who is the least cold tolerant)