Introducing ducklings, signs of aggression vs curiosity

[PirateGirl]

So now we wait for the storm to stop and ultimately wait for the ducklings to fully feather out so the can move out of my guest bedroom permanently.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Thunder snow this time of year?

 

[PirateGirl]

Thunder snow this time of year?

The weather doesn't know what it wants to do in Colorado this weekend! Throughout the state we have thunderstorms, warnings for golf ball size hail, tornado watches, winter storm watch for up to a foot and a half of snow, flash flood watches... anything goes this weekend!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Wow lol

 

[PirateGirl]

So today we tried something new. I locked the drake and his mate in the duck house. I then brought the 2 ducklings (now about 5 weeks old) into the duck run with my two nicest female adult ducks. I stayed in the run with them. It went really well. The two hens hung out together and the two ducklings stuck together and they really didn't interact too much. The ducklings quickly found the pool and the hens were kinda mad that I was in the run. One of the hens briefly chased the ducklings honking but she quickly stopped and it didn't escalate. The other hen wanted water when the ducklings were playing and wasn't sure what to do and ultimately chest bumped one of the ducklings into the pool, but once the duckling was out of the way she didn't care. All in all it went really well. I will try this again tomorrow. I may add the third female into the mix.

 

[PirateGirl]

I feel the need to update in case it helps someone down the line. The ducklings and the weather are both at a point where I want them outdoors 24/7. The drake still wants to attack the ducklings. Even when they are on the opposite side of the fence, he will charge and bang on the fencing and try to get at them. One hen has aggressively pecked the ducklings when they are together, but is well behaved when the fence is between them. The coyotes keep visiting as well. The only way the ducklings can move out is the construction of their own separate predator proof addition, unfortunately. My temporary introduction pen will not cut it. I have now made them an outdoor setup where they can stay all day while I'm at work and all ducks will be able to see and hear each other. My hope is that this extended exposure (instead of just a few hours each evening) will help and they will be able to move in together in a few weeks. In the mean time, they will all be safe. The littles will still come in the house at night since it's been below freezing, but I'm hopeful in another week it will be a non issue when all their fuzz is gone.

 

[PirateGirl]

Predator proof duckling house.
XL dog crate with the floor as a roof.
One side is shared with the existing adult duck run so they can see and hear each other. One side wind is blocked by a pallet and another side is blocked by the existing duck house.
Plastic tote stuffed with straw and a hole cut in the side is their duck house.
Kitty litter pan is their duck pool.
Juice bottle with hole cut in side is their feed container.

 

[casportpony]

Predator proof duckling house.
XL dog crate with the floor as a roof.
One side is shared with the existing adult duck run so they can see and hear each other. One side wind is blocked by a pallet and another side is blocked by the existing duck house.
Plastic tote stuffed with straw and a hole cut in the side is their duck house.
Kitty litter pan is their duck pool.
Juice bottle with hole cut in side is their feed container.

I like it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like it too. Below freezing my goodness when does spring come to Colorado?

 

[PirateGirl]

I like it too. Below freezing my goodness when does spring come to Colorado?

It's spring! It's been in the high 60s low 70s during the day, but hovering around 35 at night. I just think that's a bit cold for the ducklings if they aren't snuggled in the duck house with everyone else. It's so dry that we have pretty big temperature swings. Much of the state is much warmer too

The ducklings are set up outside today and I have left for work, so this is their first day out for more than a few hours!