Introducing new ducklings.

[Stephaniejoy]

So apparently "chicken math" doesn't apply just to chickens. It also applies to ducks! We recently were gifted a couple ducklings in addition to the 4 pekins babies we just bought. Realizing we had a duck run plenty big enough for a few more friends, I made the mistake of going online! So now we have 6 more babies on the way. They will be 4 weeks younger than the mallards and 3 younger than the pekins. Should I put them all together? Will my big gals hurt my little ones? Is it best to brood separately until older?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Def best to give your littlest time to get some size on them I’m sure you have some bullies in your older group and when tiny they can easily get trampled and picked on. Congrats on your new little ones. Pics when you can.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Chicken-math is nothing compared to duck-math!
Just wait until you have your first broody duck, they excel in hiding their egg clutches and when you find them sitting on their nest its all too late…
In regards to the ducklings of different ages: Yes, i agree! I would definitely keep them separated until the small ones have caught up. Ducklings grow like weeds! Best works the "see but no touch" approach for ducklings of different age as well as for grown-up ducks and new ducklings.
Have fun with your ducks! And if you could post some pictures here we would all appreciate! We're addicted to duckling pictures…

 

[PirateGirl]

Maybe you can put a fence divider in your existing run so they can see and hear each other. I definitely would hold off on housing them all together until they are close to the same size and used to each other.

 

[chickens really]

Has nothing to do with Chickens but Ducklings and young Ducks need to be introduced because they are scared and not hormone driven. Free range time and lots of water play stations will get them friends quickly.

 

[Stephaniejoy]

Def best to give your littlest time to get some size on them I’m sure you have some bullies in your older group and when tiny they can easily get trampled and picked on. Congrats on your new little ones. Pics when you can.

Thanks so much! I will be setting up another brooder tonight! Pics as soon as my new ladies arrive.

Def best to give your littlest time to get some size on them I’m sure you have some bullies in your older group and when tiny they can easily get trampled and picked on. Congrats on your new little ones. Pics when you can.

 

[Stephaniejoy]

Chicken-math is nothing compared to duck-math!
Just wait until you have your first broody duck, they excel in hiding their egg clutches and when you find them sitting on their nest its all too late…
In regards to the ducklings of different ages: Yes, i agree! I would definitely keep them separated until the small ones have caught up. Ducklings grow like weeds! Best works the "see but no touch" approach for ducklings of different age as well as for grown-up ducks and new ducklings.
Have fun with your ducks! And if you could post some pictures here we would all appreciate! We're addicted to duckling pictures…

Lol on the duck math! I'm really enjoying them. Cant wait for the new babies. I will post pics when they arrive. Speaking of which I tried to post one of my big girls yesterday and it doesn't show up. Thanks for responding!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you using the upload a file

 

[Stephaniejoy]

Are you using the upload a file

I thought so. I'll try again.

 

[Stephaniejoy]

Are you using the upload a file