How long will it take for everyone to get along?

[Jknigge]

We have 2 "baby" ducks they are now 4 weeks old. Our "big" ducks and 1 turkey are now 7 weeks old. They have sort of been attacking the babies when we are outside so I had been holding off on putting them in the coop with them but they are now too big to be inside and are outside. I have them in a large dog kennel inside the coop so that they can get used to each other. They have been in there one day and I noticed the big ducks and turkey laying next to their cage so when I was up feeding this afternoon I decided to let the babies out and see what the big guys did. Jack started attacking them and then so did Stinky (both boys) I don't think Crickett (the female) didn't go after them, but has outside.

My question is how long does it take for them to get used to each other? They can't stay in the kennel for too long so how long does it typically take for the bigger ducks to get over themselves? Am I just going to have to wait a few more weeks until the babies start getting big enough to fight back? I don't want them fighting but they are going to have to get along. any other tips are welcomed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have 2 "baby" ducks they are now 4 weeks old. Our "big" ducks and 1 turkey are now 7 weeks old. They have sort of been attacking the babies when we are outside so I had been holding off on putting them in the coop with them but they are now too big to be inside and are outside. I have them in a large dog kennel inside the coop so that they can get used to each other. They have been in there one day and I noticed the big ducks and turkey laying next to their cage so when I was up feeding this afternoon I decided to let the babies out and see what the big guys did. Jack started attacking them and then so did Stinky (both boys) I don't think Crickett (the female) didn't go after them, but has outside.

My question is how long does it take for them to get used to each other? They can't stay in the kennel for too long so how long does it typically take for the bigger ducks to get over themselves? Am I just going to have to wait a few more weeks until the babies start getting big enough to fight back? I don't want them fighting but they are going to have to get along. any other tips are welcomed.

They will have to work out a "pecking order" but until your 4 weeks old can handle it better I wouldn't let them be together. The big boys are just being bullies. If you can give them a very large area where the 4 week olds can find a place to run too then maybe try that. someone posted on here last week about making a place where her one female could go into that the others couldn't get to her.

 

[jessiduck]

I agree with Miss Lydia. For the safety of the younger ones, I think it would be best to keep them apart right now until they are big enough to handle themselves.

 

[Jknigge]

Thanks for all the input. I put them in the kennel in the coop starting Saturday night. I tried Monday evening to let them out into the coop while I was up feeding and stuff and the drakes took off after the babies. So I put them back into the kennel and today I let them all free range together. They were surprisingly all sticking together and not attacking the babies. This evening while we were at my father in laws we decided to let the babies out with the big ducks and see how things went. The babies were still hanging out with the big ducks no problem so I am letting them all stay together this evening. I think they will all do great together and I am so glad they are finally getting along. I think they will end up being buddies like I had hoped they would.