How long?

[Miss Lydia]

We are a bit concerned come spring, when we want to bring in 2 more ducks for egg making. Last time we did that, we had a dry spell for over 6 months, lol

It does take time for everyone to get sorted when you bring in new ones, best thing is to keep them side by side with fencing so resident ducks can still go about their business as normal but slowly realize the 2 next to them are there to stay it really helps make the newbies get use to everything too and no one gets beat up. It shouldn't take 6 months. more like a week. At night you can put the 2 new ones inside the duck house in a large dog crate so that way they are still protected but safe for the night.

 

[2006psdsd]

It does take time for everyone to get sorted when you bring in new ones, best thing is to keep them side by side with fencing so resident ducks can still go about their business as normal but slowly realize the 2 next to them are there to stay it really helps make the newbies get use to everything too and no one gets beat up. It shouldn't take 6 months. more like a week. At night you can put the 2 new ones inside the duck house in a large dog crate so that way they are still protected but safe for the night.

That's how I ended up this last time, but I messed around for much too long trying different things. Their coop is only about 16 sq ft, but last time I was separating them completely (new duck with a friendly old duck, and two ornery ones together). One couple in the coop at night and the other couple in a dog crate outside the coop. They did assimilate to each other much faster when I installed a separating wall of expanded metal in the coop and housed a couple on each side. This way they could see each other but not harm anyone. I guess that was my first real mistake of duck ownership, second one being overly confident in their pen. Live and learn.

I hope this new duck transition goes as smooth as you say it should

I was told to wait until March or April, does that sound right, Miss Lydia?

 

[Miss Lydia]

That's how I ended up this last time, but I messed around for much too long trying different things. Their coop is only about 16 sq ft, but last time I was separating them completely (new duck with a friendly old duck, and two ornery ones together). One couple in the coop at night and the other couple in a dog crate outside the coop. They did assimilate to each other much faster when I installed a separating wall of expanded metal in the coop and housed a couple on each side. This way they could see each other but not harm anyone. I guess that was my first real mistake of duck ownership, second one being overly confident in their pen. Live and learn.

I hope this new duck transition goes as smooth as you say it should

I was told to wait until March or April, does that sound right, Miss Lydia?

If your bringing in adult females that can be done anytime although you don't want a ton of ice and snow on the ground so "you" can actually maneuver around out there and observe how they are doing.Since my Muscovy's are seasonal layers it's actually best for me to bring in new ones during off season which is fall through Feb. No matter though they will eventually get use to each other it just takes time and patience.

 

[2006psdsd]

If your bringing in adult females that can be done anytime although you don't want a ton of ice and snow on the ground so "you" can actually maneuver around out there and observe how they are doing.Since my Muscovy's are seasonal layers it's actually best for me to bring in new ones during off season which is fall through Feb. No matter though they will eventually get use to each other it just takes time and patience.

I was told by a few people that it was hard on them if you do intro's in the winter. Maybe it does depend on the breed you have though, such as your Muscovy's. I'd sure love to have a full season of egg laying this spring/summer/fall. Stock pile eggs and never eat a chicken egg from the store again!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was told by a few people that it was hard on them if you do intro's in the winter. Maybe it does depend on the breed you have though, such as your Muscovy's. I'd sure love to have a full season of egg laying this spring/summer/fall. Stock pile eggs and never eat a chicken egg from the store again!

I know exactly what you mean about the eggs, thankfully I have chickens so they keep me from having to buy store bought. My ducks are seasonal layers but they give me a ton of eggs once they start back. I would think it would be much easier to do intros in off season like winter so that by spring all the girls know each other and can commence to laying . Just my humble opinion.

 

[2006psdsd]

I know exactly what you mean about the eggs, thankfully I have chickens so they keep me from having to buy store bought. My ducks are seasonal layers but they give me a ton of eggs once they start back. I would think it would be much easier to do intros in off season like winter so that by spring all the girls know each other and can commence to laying . Just my humble opinion.

That was my thought too, maybe I'll start looking for another WH or two. I like that breed and a few others. I have a lady that raises them and she has one WH for me when I'm ready, maybe she has another too. She tried to sell me a pair of Saxony's, but I don't need or want another male

 

[Miss Lydia]

That was my thought too, maybe I'll start looking for another WH or two. I like that breed and a few others. I have a lady that raises them and she has one WH for me when I'm ready, maybe she has another too. She tried to sell me a pair of Saxony's, but I don't need or want another male

I do love Saxony though they are gorgeous ducks and endangered. .

 

[2006psdsd]

They are, and I think/thought that the WH were too. Either way, they are both gorgeous ducks

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are, and I think/thought that the WH were too. Either way, they are both gorgeous ducks

Yes both are gorgeous.