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

[LtDanFan]

Definitely start slowly integrating him into the duck flock as soon as possible.

How slow do i have to go? The youngest ducklings are almost 4 weeks old. The oldest are just over 5 weeks. L’Orange is 8 weeks old at the youngest.
Also what would i look for to determine if he is becoming hormonal and not just trying to become part of the flock?

 

[Evadig]

How slow do i have to go? The youngest ducklings are almost 4 weeks old. The oldest are just over 5 weeks. L’Orange is 8 weeks old at the youngest.
Also what would i look for to determine if he is becoming hormonal and not just trying to become part of the flock?

Leave him with them during the day for a few days, and if he does well, he can sleep with them at night. Have the young ones moved outside yet? Maybe let them have the house to themselves the first few nights, then put him in.

When he’s getting hormonal, he’ll start head-bobbing on land and sea, often accompanied by quacking. He also may start chasing after a preferred female and trying to mount.

If he’s between eight and say, ten weeks old then you should have a few more weeks before he becomes mature.

Edited to add, I might have video of my own ducks, I’ll see if I can find it tomorrow .

 

[LtDanFan]

Leave him with them during the day for a few days, and if he does well, he can sleep with them at night. Have the young ones moved outside yet? Maybe let them have the house to themselves the first few nights, then put him in.

When he’s getting hormonal, he’ll start head-bobbing on land and sea, often accompanied by quacking. He also may start chasing after a preferred female and trying to mount.

If he’s between eight and say, ten weeks old then you should have a few more weeks before he becomes mature.

Edited to add, I might have video of my own ducks, I’ll see if I can find it tomorrow .

He had today with the girls in the new pen, tomorrow is not promised but the day after i can be there and give him a few more hours. Maybe through the weekend. Girls are outside full time as of today. It’s hard because we are not yet living back in our house so hours of exposure are sporadic. The pools are not complete yet, BF-hubs still has to make the ramps for the half barrel pools he designed and the littlest ducks are still only 3 weeks old so i don't want them to be (literally) in over their heads.
At least at this time it sounds like i have a few more weeks. And I'm discovering that a few weeks makes a big difference.
So far no head bobbing and no mounting behavior. Hopefully there is enough estrogen in the air to blunt his testosterone haha, if that’s a thing
If he protects those little duckies like he protects his little chickies then I’ll start a United Nations of Poultry. Haha!!!

 

[LtDanFan]

He had today with the girls in the new pen, tomorrow is not promised but the day after i can be there and give him a few more hours. Maybe through the weekend. Girls are outside full time as of today. It’s hard because we are not yet living back in our house so hours of exposure are sporadic. The pools are not complete yet, BF-hubs still has to make the ramps for the half barrel pools he designed and the littlest ducks are still only 3 weeks old so i don't want them to be (literally) in over their heads.
At least at this time it sounds like i have a few more weeks. And I'm discovering that a few weeks makes a big difference.
So far no head bobbing and no mounting behavior. Hopefully there is enough estrogen in the air to blunt his testosterone haha, if that’s a thing
If he protects those little duckies like he protects his little chickies then I’ll start a United Nations of Poultry. Haha!!!

To clarify, he is sleeping with the chickens tonight and every night until he has proved himself trustworthy with the “new girls”.

 

[Evadig]

To clarify, he is sleeping with the chickens tonight and every night until he has proved himself trustworthy with the “new girls”.

Sounds good!