Introducing new duckling

[MelissaF]

I have an 8 week old pekin and 8 week old Cayuga both females, I got them together. I just got a 2 week old female magpie. The older 2 seem to dislike her very much. I brought her outside to meet them and they seem to be pecking at her and trying to hold her down. I put her in a small cat carrier in their pen so they could see and hear her but can't get to her. When she's in there they seem to be very protective of her. The Cayuga who usually follows me in a frenzy when I pick up the pekin no longer does so because she doesn't want to leave the duckling alone. Do they hate her or do they love her? I do not plan on keeping the duckling outside with them as she so young but I would like them to be able to get along when I'm out there with them

 

[Amiga]

Duck relationships are unfathomable. We can help, by accepting that it does not always go smoothly especially at first.

I would not let them be together till she is a at least six weeks old - much closer in height to the others. I would, however, let them be next to each other on opposite sides of a fence. They might warm up more quickly that way.

Then, it is a matter of introducing them, being ready to separate them, and over and over till it works its way out. Some shoving and chasing is normal and fine, but pinning - not so fine in my opinion.

Give them treats at the same time, to help them associate good feelings with being together.