How to Integrate new ducks to flock?

[CathieL]

Hi can anyone help, I have 4 runners that I’ve had from 4 days old. I bought them unsexed, they are now 6 months old. I have 2 drakes in the flock soo I hoped to add 2 more females for a safer ratio. The new females are nearly 3 months old, I have kept them separated but able to see each other for over a week now, but when they do meet the drakes make a beeline for them and start attacking them, is there any suggestions for making it easier to integrate them? I don’t want them to get injured with the size difference?

Thanks

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Longer see and be seen period is needed. Some of that behavior is normal and expected, only separate in the case of injury. and it wasn't till I had 2nd year old hens to teach new boys how to behave that my flock mellowed.

I've been fortunate in not having to introduce new hens to teen boys.

The size difference is less concerning - the hens will squat to distribute weight. More concerning is that they aren't mature (your new hens) yet. I'd do at least two months of see/be seen - three if you can manage it, so they are almost mature since your flock is so young overall.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Keep the females separated until they are at least 5-6 months old. Drakes sexually mature early like teenage boys and if they mate females that are too young they can damage their vents. I have raised ducks for years and putting young females with horny teenage phase drakes is always a recipe for disaster and someone getting hurt.