Integrating ducks to existing hens

[BayfrontHens]

I’m hoping to add 3 ducklings to my flock of existing 6 hens. All 3 are feathered & have spent the last week in a small protected run inside the chicken run so they have been seeing each other. I attempted to let the ducks out to roam yesterday & my hens immediately jumped on & started pecking the ducks. I had to break it up. Most all I’ve read says the birds usually just ignore each other. I have integrated a hen into my chickens successfully-is this going to be the same process? (Was time consuming & painful!) I wasn’t prepared to have such a job mixing the birds. There is a coop, 16x8 roofed run, plus a 50x50 fenced chicken yard-so space isn’t an issue.
Advice??

 

[aart]

All 3 are feathered & have spent the last week in a small protected run inside the chicken run so they have been seeing each other.

A week might not be long enough...let them stay in there a bit longer.

Pics of your coop and run might help specific suggestions.

Some of these tips might help....
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.

 

[chickens really]

Plan B might be needed ? My Chickens and Ducks hate each other...

 

[BayfrontHens]

I’ve give them a few more weeks & will try again this weekend to let them range together. I have to do something Bc ducks have outgrown the pen currently in.
Thank you for the tips!!

 

[BayfrontHens]

Update:
I gave the ducks as long as I could until they were just too crowded in their segregated pen. Let everyone loose together in the 50x50 chicken yard with veggies scattered all around for treat time. Sat with my hose pipe on jet setting watching for any severe bullying. To my surprise the ducks had the chickens running & hiding atop their playpen in no time. Ducks weren’t bullying but just waddled around together in a 3some which sure put the lady hens in their place!
So far it’s been about a month & everyone is doing fantastic! Now to get a more permanent duck pool integrated into their yard.