Integrating question...

[SunAngel]

Probably a dumb question, but I was wondering at what age can I integrate my young ducks into the adult flock?

I have a Black Swedish thats just over 2 months old, I have no clue on the sex, but DD says she thinks its a female. S/he is getting close in height to my adults, just much lighter yet. I am not sure if they are like chickens and I should wait til around 4 months of age to put them together. I just don't want my drake to attack it if its a boy or try to mate with it too early if its a girl.

I have 2 others that are a month old that I am growing out, hoping for another female.

One other question... Right now I have 1 drake and 3 ducks together, can I add another drake and a couple females? Will the older drake attack the new drake even if I add more females? Or if I just add a couple more females, will the 1 drake be able to mate/fertilize all 5 himself? I would like to add to my quad (that are a year old now) but don't want any of the new additions getting hurt.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[nivtup]

We have found that ducks and geese are very accepting of new flock members.

The geese make a big ruckus about it for a few minutes, and then everything is fine, and they get on famously.

The ducks seem to not really care, even passers by are welcome to hang out.

We free range ours, so this might not be the case if they are penned.

I would introduce them and see how it goes. If there is going to be an issue it would most likely be right away.

Good luck.

 

[SunAngel]

Thanks!

I was just out holding her and she was quacking/honking loudly, so I am almost certain she is a female. She seems pretty close in size so maybe I will give it a try.

 

[ChickenToes]

I have to admit, I don't worry too much about integrating. I put the young ones in with the adults and just sit back to watch the mayhem.

Actually, nivtup is right on the money. Ducks don't seem to mind too much when you add to the flock.

 

[gretchenhau]

My pekin's never integrated, I have 2 seperate warring groups. They free range and are housed in the evening. The back yards have to go in first or the front yards won't go in at all. In the am the front yards aree out first and stalk the back yards.

We have nick named them the bloods and the kribs.

Nothing meant to slander.

 

[SunAngel]

I was only worried because I had another pair in with them, a Muscovy duck and a Magpie drake and they were fine all Winter. But come Spring and my Swedish drake kept grabbing the Magpie by the back of the neck and holding on, while Magpie would try to run to get loose. I separated the M & M pair, cause I felt sorry for the drake.

I figured it was a mating/Spring thing.

 

[SunAngel]

Quote:
Thats funny that they made their own gangs lol.