Introducing new ducklings

[griemar]

Greetings everyone! It's been a long time since I posted here, but I thought I would pop in to say hello, see how everyone was doing and to of course ask a question, LOL. Things with Lewie have been great and ever since he's become our only duck, he's adapted to indoor living surprisingly well. He's been living inside with us for a little over a year now and has been a complete joy for the entire family (Except for our German Shepard that still to this day Lewie chases through the house and still tries to breed).

My wife and I were talking about getting some new ducklings here in the next few weeks. We were thinking along the lines that maybe Lewie would like some pals and of course we ourselves would like to have a few more also. But then I found myself thinking about how Lewie may feel about this. Since he's been a total indoor duck for a little over a year now, and has obviously accepted us as his flock, how will he react to having new ducklings running about? He isn't aggressive about his living space anymore but could he become aggressive to new ducklings if we tried to house them together? Our plan is to have an outdoor coop for during the day that will allow for his typical foraging ect and then his usual "bed" inside at night. The new ducklings will of course be sharing said accommodations. For those of you that don't know or don't remember, Lewie is a 2 year old Black runner and the new additions would be at least 1 Blue Swede and possibly another runner or 2.

What's your thoughts on this?

 

[Amiga]

Nice to "see" you again!

Isn't Lewie handsome!?!?!

It will be an adjustment, sure enough. It will take time. But it might work out, if you hang in there.

It took several weeks for things to smooth out when we introduced The Coffee Ducks to our flock. Now, five months later, there is relative peace and harmony. Still the occasional kerfuffle.

Gotta keep the new littles in sight but safely away from Lewie until they are just as big as he is, give them treats at the same time, and watch, watch, watch as they become acquainted with one another. He may be a natural "big brother," or he may be a pill. It's up to him.

 

[iluvsedward]

 

[griemar]

Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. I'll be sure to keep a close eye on them and hopefully this will be a good thing. I'm still nervous about this, but I think that if anything, this would be good to get Lewie re-acquainted with his own kind and hopefully make him a little happier

 

[tomingreeneco]

Do not get any more drakes. Two "ladies"should get along just fine with him. Keep them separate at first but make sure they can all see each other and interact a little. When I added new ducks to my flock they all stayed in the same coop but I rigged up a chicken wire fence between the new and old ducks. They could see and quack at each other but not actually touch each other. The new ducks stayed in the coop for a month and did not go outside with the others. After a month I removed the fence and let them get to know each other better. Everything worked out just fine. Now I have a nice friendly larger flock.

 

[griemar]

I was actually thinking about that very same issue. I don't really want to add a drake because I'm worried about a dominance issue. The problem is, the new ducklings are store bought and I have no way of getting them sexed when we get them. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I was actually thinking about that very same issue. I don't really want to add a drake because I'm worried about a dominance issue. The problem is, the new ducklings are store bought and I have no way of getting them sexed when we get them. I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

if you feel brave enough. http://www.metzerfarms.com/SexingVideo.cfm