Introducing ducklings to the big ducks...

[loopy12]

I have three 5 week cayuga ducklings that will be joining my other 2 adult pekin ducks in the duck house in a few weeks. What can I expect?
Do I introduce them like I would new chickens to the hen house? i.e. put them in at night, keep them penned in for 3 days etc? Or are ducks just not that worried about newcomers?

 

[chickenlittle1980]

i hope some one answers you

 

[loopy12]

Me too

Thanks for the bump

 

[chickenlittle1980]

 

[loopy12]

Anyone???

I tried popping them into the duck house at bedtime last night. My drake was not amused...lots of quacking and peeping and 3 little black ducklings shot out the door at speed...
Today I tried introducing them during the day on the pond and the drake had another go chasing them out of the water. DH grabbed him and had a serious talk with him and he calmed down (!!duck whisperer!!) and he stopped chasing them but by that point they were climbing into my lap peeping and shaking so I left it for now...

So anyone got any thoughts....??????????????????????????????

 

[Senna95]

I've had good luck putting them in a wire cage (with food and water of course) and setting them in the middle of the hen-house or duck pen. After a few days the adults get used to seeing them, and later you can let them out. Try it, and let me know how it works for you.........

 

[loopy12]

Thats what I do with chickens, so they have been in an XL dog crate for about a week outside, and the two adults have seen them and even tried to steal the ducklings food through the bars, yet still they freaked out. Maybe I need to move the dog crate next to the pond - it seemed a terratorial thing.

 

[Wifezilla]

My big ducks could see the babies through the wire. At about 4 weeks I opened the door and let them all mingle EXCEPT I put the drake in the separate pen for a few nights first. That way the babies got to meet the girls (supervised by mom) first. Once I let dad out, everyone was fine.

 

[loopy12]

Hmmm I hadn't thought of that.

Donald and Daisy are normally inseparable ever since the big raccoon attack that took the other 4 ducks. He's very protective so that might be the issue - didn't bother Daisy at all. Thanks, I will give that a go. The ducklings are imprinted on me, which is adorable but would be better for them if they would attach to the other ducks.

 

[chickduck10101]

My grandma got an offer to keep a baby duckling, the only problem is, a few days ago of our ducks were killed so our other four ducks are stressed. so i am scared that if we put a baby duckling in there pen with them then he or she will be picked on because of the quick transition. So that brings me to my point, what was the best solution for you?