Integrating two sets of young ducks

[makatta]

We just started our duck raising adventure and got four three-weeks old ducks and 4 hatchlings.

That was a month ago. We now have 4 seven-week old ducklings (looking all the world to be full grown, except I can tell they aren't oiled yet) and 4 four-week old ducklings (who have gotten most of their feathers.)

I've kept them separate because of the extremely large disparity in size when they first arrived.

However, I have them all outside most days now in adjacent pens. Is there any reason that I shouldn't put them all together at the end of this week?

I have read the warnings about young ducks and adult duck poop, but is that a concern here?

Any other concerns I should be aware of?

 

[Amiga]

Initially, I would have supervised together time a few times before letting them run together in the pen, and I might still separate at night for a few more nights, anyway, and keep an ear out afterward to make sure there's no rough stuff.

Waiting till they are the same size has its merits.

 

[makatta]

Just thought I'd update: here they are enjoying their lunchtime dandelion green salad all together.

There was a small amount of pecking order jostling at first but they've been doing very well all together- nighttime included.

Thanks for the advice for supervision. Definitely eased my mind but they seem all very laid back.