Introducing a duckling to live outside with another mother duck

[daphnejj321]

Hi everyone, I hope that I can get some advice from some of the duck experts on here. My story is quite complicated. Our flock of ducks was attacked by a fox three weeks ago. The fox got all but one duck, who was sitting on eggs in a different part of the coop. In the meantime, we were incubating and hatching two other eggs (this was our first time).
Only one of our ducklings survived (Daphne) and we have kept her indoors for the last two weeks (we were unsure if the mother duck would leave her eggs if we put Daphne underneath her). The eggs under the duck outside in the coop hatched one week ago. We would like to introduce Daphne to the rest of the ducks outside. Unfortunately, she is really scared of the other ducks and we fear she may have imprinted on us. What would be the best way to introduce her to the mother duck and her ducklings and eventually get her to integrate into the flock?

Thanks everyone

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Hi @daphnejj321,
first of all, I’m sorry for your loss...
Second: I would start by introducing them to one another in a way that they are close to each other, can see each other but can’t get to each other. That way they have their own space but get used to the other being there..

Third: Welcome to BYC!

 

[daphnejj321]

Thank you @Stipenvlerk. I will try that

 

[Stipenvlerk]

But if she is only two weeks make sure you little one is safe and warm!