Ducks scared of the new ducklings

[Feffers]

I did a ton of research on how to introduce my ducklings to our existing ducks, but I seem to be running into an issue that isn't discussed anywhere - instead of my older ducks picking on the new ones, they've been absolutely terrified of them.

I have two ladies, a Khaki Campbell and a Mallard, that are two years old and have been very bonded together. Since it's just been the two of them, the Khaki will play hop-on-top with my tiny little mallard and be a bit rough with her. The mallard doesn't seem to mind, but I don't really like that she has a bald patch on her head every spring.

We decided we would get a few more ducks to round out the flock, and include a drake in the mix. We did a lot of research, and settled on a 1-to-4 ratio. We got three ducklings (two Welsh Harlequins, a male and female, and a female Cayuga) and began hand-raising them inside to make sure they were bonded to us.

We began slow introductions when the ducklings were about a week old. They were itty bitty things and our existing ducks were absolutely terrified of them. I didn't really understand - they posed no threats and were just curious and running around. We decided based on our research to continue 10-15 minute supervised interactions with them and just give them more time. We did this daily until the ducklings were about 2 months old and ready to be outside full-time. The existing ducks NEVER warmed up to them.

We have a puppy pen inside the duck house that keeps the two groups separated now. They share a very large run, so there is plenty of space for everyone. We put two pools in the run so no one has to share, but the groups are still very clique-y. Now that the ducklings are full grown, they've started chasing the older ducks. So not only were they scared of them to begin with, now they're being chased around the yard periodically.

I've tried supervising them in small spaces together in pairs, giving them all treats at the same time, giving them their space...I can't seem to get them to just be neutral about each other. It's making me feel really bad because my two existing ducks aren't very happy and they are the loves of my life! I got the new ducklings to be friends with them. Of course, I'm very attached to my new babies as well so I don't want to get rid of them. I just want to find a way for them all to exist in peace.

To be fair, there are plenty of times that each group does their own thing, so it's not like the babies are constantly chasing the older ones around. I just hate to see them so panicked and upset when it does happen. Is this really just a matter of giving them more time? Any advice would be so amazing!

 

[chickens really]

At two months old let them out to figure it out on their own. Definitely will be chasing and neck tying..They will know what to do..

 

[Feffers]

At two months old let them out to figure it out on their own. Definitely will be chasing and neck tying..They will know what to do..

They are all out together in the run at this point, but I keep them separated at night in the duck house with the puppy pen - they can see each other but not reach each other. I'm nervous to have them mingle all night long as I want to give the two a break from being chased and bothered. Do you think I should be letting them out together overnight in the duck house? I don't want to wake up one morning and find someone dead of a heart attack. My Khaki Campbell gets stressed (she's chased the most) and has a very warm bill during these times.

 

[chickens really]

They are all out together in the run at this point, but I keep them separated at night in the duck house with the puppy pen - they can see each other but not reach each other. I'm nervous to have them mingle all night long as I want to give the two a break from being chased and bothered. Do you think I should be letting them out together overnight in the duck house? I don't want to wake up one morning and find someone dead of a heart attack. My Khaki Campbell gets stressed (she's chased the most) and has a very warm bill during these times.

Well I definitely do not worrry at that age because she will be fine and I don't lock mine all into a shed either. But I know Ducks don't sleep at night so prefer freedom at all times..

 

[Feffers]

Well I definitely do not worrry at that age because she will be fine and I don't lock mine all into a shed either. But I know Ducks don't sleep at night so prefer freedom at all times..

Fair enough. I want them to be safe so I lock them in the duck house at night; it is large and has plenty of room for them to wander. I'm sure they'd prefer to sleep in their pool, but I prefer safety since they are my pets. Maybe I'll try a night with everyone mingling together...

 

[Miss Lydia]

You should want them safe and lock them in at night. If I didn’t secure mine I’d be with out any poultry in no time. I have 2 12 week old Runners and 2 3 week old Runners that I am gradually getting integrated into my flock. Ducks chickens and geese. Right now the younger don’t sleep with the rest because I have a Runner drake and because I feel they are too young and may get bullied and they have no place to get away. So for now my 12 week old are sleeping separately and my 3 week old are still in the house. I have a camera in my coop and my ducks and chickens do sleep most of the night.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I'd say if you don't want to worry about your ducks don't lock them up at night. Soon you won't have any and there will be no worries. I know that sounds harsh but it's the truth!

Anyway getting back to the question, I've got 2 groups also and since I've got an older drake who is a rapist I don't want him in with the babies because of his little "problem". He's really a sweet boy but he's got that issue. I don't really know the sex of 2 of my 4 babies so I put him with 3 of the older girls in one run and pen and the other 3 older girls go with the 4 babies in another run and pen.

I started off putting one of the older girls in with the 4 kids for a day and night. Then I introduced another old girl and then another. I've got 3 oldies together with the babies in the big pen and 4 older ones (including the horny drake) in another.

So far it's working good and it's not hard for me using the set up I've got. Both groups have their own water buckets, a pool, a food bucket, and a secure and safe house for night time.

 

[quackiemama]

I have a divider in my run that I put Leonard in while I have young females running around. I take turns with putting the bigger girls in with him so he does not overmate any one particular lady. Then at night he goes to a dog crate inside the duck house and all of the girls sleep together and are safe from his unwanted advances.

 

[KimberBee]

We got two day old drakes and one day old gosling. My ducks were terrified from the beginning. It was kinda sad, they were chased by the little yellow puffball. Now the goose is a bully, but they are supposed to be bullies. The newbies are 3-4 months old now. The ladies are no longer terrified, but they aren’t great friends yet either.

 

[CoriM]

I did a ton of research on how to introduce my ducklings to our existing ducks, but I seem to be running into an issue that isn't discussed anywhere - instead of my older ducks picking on the new ones, they've been absolutely terrified of them.

I have two ladies, a Khaki Campbell and a Mallard, that are two years old and have been very bonded together. Since it's just been the two of them, the Khaki will play hop-on-top with my tiny little mallard and be a bit rough with her. The mallard doesn't seem to mind, but I don't really like that she has a bald patch on her head every spring.

We decided we would get a few more ducks to round out the flock, and include a drake in the mix. We did a lot of research, and settled on a 1-to-4 ratio. We got three ducklings (two Welsh Harlequins, a male and female, and a female Cayuga) and began hand-raising them inside to make sure they were bonded to us.

We began slow introductions when the ducklings were about a week old. They were itty bitty things and our existing ducks were absolutely terrified of them. I didn't really understand - they posed no threats and were just curious and running around. We decided based on our research to continue 10-15 minute supervised interactions with them and just give them more time. We did this daily until the ducklings were about 2 months old and ready to be outside full-time. The existing ducks NEVER warmed up to them.

We have a puppy pen inside the duck house that keeps the two groups separated now. They share a very large run, so there is plenty of space for everyone. We put two pools in the run so no one has to share, but the groups are still very clique-y. Now that the ducklings are full grown, they've started chasing the older ducks. So not only were they scared of them to begin with, now they're being chased around the yard periodically.

I've tried supervising them in small spaces together in pairs, giving them all treats at the same time, giving them their space...I can't seem to get them to just be neutral about each other. It's making me feel really bad because my two existing ducks aren't very happy and they are the loves of my life! I got the new ducklings to be friends with them. Of course, I'm very attached to my new babies as well so I don't want to get rid of them. I just want to find a way for them all to exist in peace.

To be fair, there are plenty of times that each group does their own thing, so it's not like the babies are constantly chasing the older ones around. I just hate to see them so panicked and upset when it does happen. Is this really just a matter of giving them more time? Any advice would be so amazing!

How did this ever turn out for you? My ducklings are about a month old and I've been putting them in the yard with my 2 year old flock a couple times a day, supervised. When the little ones are let out of their play area they like to chase the big ones and the big ones are always running away. I hope they will eventually integrate so I don't have to keep them separate!