Introduce new ducks

[Shireen]

I have 7 chickens and 3 ducks. They are all female, live together, and get along well. Someone wants to give us 2 adult ducks (rescue). One is female, the other male. I am worried that if we take the ducks, we will no longer have peace and harmony. I cannot tolerate animals getting injured. However, these 2 ducks do not have a home and may lose their lives. Do I try introducing them to my flock or are the odds against them getting along?

 

[chickenlove2009]

When introducing new birds keep yours and the rescues seperate but in eyesight of each other. Give them time to adjust to each other about 4 days. then let them mingle. There may be a bit of fighting aka pecking the first 2 or 3 days but then they shuld be fine.

 

[Shireen]

They would be OK with the chickens too that way?

 

[Amiga]

A drake may try to mate with chickens and that could be fatal for them. It does not always happen, but it is a possibility.

When I added a drake and two ducks to my flock of all female ducks, it took a few weeks for everyone (mostly Einz, my runner) to calm down. Now everything is fine. But they were separated for several days at all times - they could see each other. Then they were separated at night only, then finally they could be left together.

 

[Chickenkate17]

Typically the drake will leave the female chickens alone if he has enough of his own ladies to take care of. I have 3 chickens, 2 female ducks, and one drake...he doesn't even care about the chickens.