Ducklings integration surprise 🤣

[Jlw0903]

I got a new trio of ducklings in June. They are now almost 6 weeks old. I have been regularly taking the ducklings out into my dog yard so they can get outside for some pool time and exercise for the last two weeks or so. They are able to see my 4 adult ducks (3 hens and a drake all about 5 years.old). I have for obvious reasons been hesitant to allow them direct access to each other for fear of harm to the little ones. Today I decided to put my drake in the pen and bring the ducklings into the yard to free range while the other girls were around.
Overall each trio kept their distance from each other but I could tell that at least two ofy older ones weren't overly pleased with the invaders (unhappy quacks and angry bobs with some head shakes).

I held my breath when the groups came together by the water dish.

And the DUCKLINGS went on the attack! Those little sh*ts began chasing the adults off. The older ones pretty quickly decided to nope right out of that situation and kept their distance even when treats were involved they didn't bother to take the risk

I was so worried about the little ones getting hurt and it turns out they are the A-holes! Oh man. This was all about a 10-15 minute ordeal.

I put the ducklings back in their yard and let the older ones continue to range.

I'm sure the tables might turn when the ducklings start being integrated into the duck pen which is home base for the older ones but I thought it was a hilarious twist of events that everyone might enjoy!

I can already see that Mable, the buff, is going to take over as top dog.

 

[muddy75]

Awesome funny story! Thanks for sharing

 

[tlcmurphy]

Kids, am I right?

 

[KathiQuacks]

My last batch of ducklings were like that, too!

And this is my experience right now introducing my goslings to my ducks. I was concerned, as I didn’t want my goslings to have a negative experience with them..

Turns out my ducks are the sweet ones and have been simply watching the goslings with curiosity. 1 gosling in particular has been charging at the ducks, only to realize they’re bigger than her and come running to me crying Feisty little birds!

 

[Evadig]

It's surprising how bossy little quackers can be! My newest ducklings had a mother hen and her chicks treed and chased off a full grown turkey that had gotten into their pen.

 

[Jlw0903]

You GUYS!!!! I just did another free range session. The ducklings are still a terror. My drake did get a nip on one when her back was turned but. Buuuut. BUT!!! My 5 year old 7lbs of pure rage and malice of a drake who will chase down a human to relentless attack. My demon duck who trys to stand up to a 70lbs dog that would happily bite his head off if there wasn't fencing between them. My Cayuga who's only joy in life is sewing fear into the souls of children is terrified of creatures of his own species that are about half his size, barely quack yet and still have whips of down on their heads. Rarely have I seen him jump and flap away from something like he did with the ducklings. I mean shovels, sticks, rakes, all things used as a barrier to protect myself do not even phase this murder duck but three freaking ducklings are sending him running!!!!!

What am I even supposed to do with this?!?! I was kinda counting on Toke to teach these little jerks some respect and he will only take cheap shots at them if even that! He mostly just avoided them like the hens did....

 

[CoriM]

My ducklings have always terrified my older ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's normal, I have seen my adult ducks running for their lives with tiny ducklings right behind them. Once they get older then the drake will put them in their place. But don't leave the duckling alone with the drake just in case he has a change of attitude and decides to mount one.

 

[Jlw0903]

My ducklings have always terrified my older ducks

Do you do anything different with the introductions? Or do you follow the recommended slow exposure procedures? This is my first time with any sort of new introduction and I've spent some time reading and trying to set things up correctly and then the little monsters have flipped everything on its head. Unless advised otherwise I do plan to do the typical introduction process as I don't want to overly stress the older ones but man has it been something. I was honestly terrified that my drake would try to kill them because he's a mean SOB but he's just as scared as the girls!

 

[Jlw0903]

It's normal, I have seen my adult ducks running for their lives with tiny ducklings right behind them. Once they get older then the drake will put them in their place. But don't leave the duckling alone with the drake just in case he has a change of attitude and decides to mount one.

Good to know. I was planning on still doing the regular introduction process. And they are only on day 2 of short neutral ground exposure. Figure I'll do this till the weekend and then start full days in isolated part of the pen so I can watch them more closely over the weekend and then go from there with allowing them together in the pen (maybe only short times when we can watch or keep Toke in isolation)