Introducing Ducklings

[kshugs1]

Hi all! How do I safely introduce new ducklings to my older (but still not old enough to go outside) ducks? I put them right in at first just to see how they would do and the older ones kept grabbing and nipping at the babies. They’re currently in the same enclosure but with a hardware cloth barrier and food/water is set up in the same areas. Just want to make sure I do this right. Thank you!

 

[Starrponies]

Your set up looks great. Keep them beside each other till they are close to the same size. I bet by then the others will have accepted them. But if not they will be big enough to handle the nips.

 

[kshugs1]

Your set up looks great. Keep them beside each other till they are close to the same size. I bet by then the others will have accepted them. But if not they will be big enough to handle the nips.

Thank you so much!

 

[CoriM]

Being able to see but not touch is best with that size difference. Last spring I had two groups two weeks apart. Even at the very end when I was getting ready to put them outside together, there were a couple that went after each other at first...and all the babies chased my older girls. But after a few weeks they settled in and are friends.