Integrating a single duck that thinks its a chicken into a younger duck flock

[Evadig]

If L’Orange does indeed to turn out to be a drake, does your advice change?

Yes, in that case he would need to be separated from the chickens as he can injure them by mating. That’s why it’s better he learns that he’s a duck sooner than later.

However, if L’Orange does turn out to be a drake, he also shouldn’t be trying to mate the ducks until they’re mature (usually between eighteen to twenty-one weeks) so it may be he would have to have his own pen for a bit depending on how hormonal he is.

Should i still toss them together and see what happens?

You could, or do the look-but-don’t touch method once the young ones move outside.

 

[LtDanFan]

Yes, in that case he would need to be separated from the chickens as he can injure them by mating. That’s why it’s better he learns that he’s a duck sooner than later.

However, if L’Orange does turn out to be a drake, he also shouldn’t be trying to mate the ducks until they’re mature (usually between eighteen to twenty-one weeks) so it may be he would have to have his own pen for a bit depending on how hormonal he is.

So far, no evidence of hormonal behavior but i have been watching closely, I know he’s young to be hormonal, and I’m hoping that he’s close enough in age to the females to not harass them until they are of age. There is only about 4-5 weeks between them at most. And maybe he’s younger than i think. I know that Pekins grow fast, and I neglected to ask how old he was when i got him, but i presume only a couple of days or so.

You could, or do the look-but-don’t touch method once the young ones move outside.

I have been taking the younger ducklings outside during the day because their brooder is in the garage. I have been putting them in a covered exercise pen in view of the chickens and L’Orange, just on the other side of the poultry fencing around the chicken yard. Initially, he was curious (especially when they quacked) but now, kind of ignores them.
I would like to put them together, but the youngest ducklings are only about 4 weeks. Is that old enough to leave them outside in a protected poultry pen? The littles are very bonded to the older ducks already as they have been together in the brooder for several weeks now.

 

[Evadig]

Is that old enough to leave them outside in a protected poultry pen? The littles are very bonded to the older ducks already as they have been together in the brooder for several weeks now.

Should be! My five day olds spend all day outside in a little pen. It is highs of 90F here though.

 

[LtDanFan]

It’s finally warm here too!! SE Wisconsin, for the record. In fact, it’s too hot here and ive been showering them with the hose (which they love) due to the triple digit weather this weekend.
I got worried because the littles are not as feathered as the bigguns of course. They do great during the day when they are out and seem to enjoy it more than being cooped up in that stock tank brooder we have set up for them at night.

They just seem so “baby” but i guess non-domestic ducks live outside all the time so I probably a worrying for nothing lol. They will at least be protected from predators in the pen we set up for them.

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

I have nothing to add to this, besides that I love your username!

 

[Evadig]

It’s finally warm here too!! SE Wisconsin, for the record. In fact, it’s too hot here and ive been showering them with the hose (which they love) due to the triple digit weather this weekend.
I got worried because the littles are not as feathered as the bigguns of course. They do great during the day when they are out and seem to enjoy it more than being cooped up in that stock tank brooder we have set up for them at night.

They just seem so “baby” but i guess non-domestic ducks live outside all the time so I probably a worrying for nothing lol. They will at least be protected from predators in the pen we set up for them.

Oh yeah, my other ducks loved the hose at that age! Glad it’s getting warmer for you - here it’s 95F.

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[LtDanFan]

I have nothing to add to this, besides that I love your username!

Thanks!! My dog is an amputee and hence, he is Lt Dan. And i am sure a fan of his!!!

 

[LtDanFan]

Oh yeah, my other ducks loved the hose at that age! Glad it’s getting warmer for you - here it’s 95F.

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Thanks!! All updated.

 

[ChickenCameFirst]

Thanks!! My dog is an amputee and hence, he is Lt Dan. And i am sure a fan of his!!!

I haven’t met him, but now I’m a Lt Dan Fan too!

 

[LtDanFan]

I just had a thought. Can i put the cockrel in with the ducks? I’m sure he will integrate just fine thanks to having an in with L’Orange and when i thought the CCL’s were all pullets, i purchased a cockrel chick so i will end up with 2. I tried to give one away but the only other people i know that have chickens are either hatching their own and keeping a cockrel from that batch or don’t want a roo because they don’t want to piss off their neighbors. I realize i may have to rehome them both if they become obnoxious and “rooster-y” but I am hoping that the neighbors will accept a bribe in the form of eggs from time to time.
If i can put that one in with the ducks (since he essentialy grew up with a duck and is attached to a duck and probably partly identifies as a duck) and then let the little boy in the brooder joint the hens in a month or two, i can hopefully buy myself so time.