Introducing new ducks to flock

[PolarBerry]

So I have 7 muscovies that free range the yard/surrounding areas. I have 10 muscovy ducklings (5-5.5 weeks old now) and 5 same age toulouse goslings.

They all sleep in the same duck hut that I have divided down the center with hardware cloth so they've seen each other up close and personal for the past three weeks to a month now.

I currently only have the duckling heat on a timer for a few hours in the middle of the night and have slowly been decreasing their lamp time to wean them off of it.

Should I make the duckling/goslings a smaller play yard, or just let them begin free ranging for short periods supervised with the rest of the flock in a few weeks? Their 8x8 pen is just getting nasty with them being in it 24/7 and requires lots of daily cleaning.

I have two adult drakes (one may be going to a new home as well)... so that's my main concern is one of them attempting mating and injuring a duckling (the goslings are already bigger).

Any input on the best way to introduce?

 

[chickens really]

Definitely lock up the Drakes during the free range time. My Drake blasted past me and broke a Ducklings wing trying to catch her for mating.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy drake has never in his 8 yrs tried to mate with a Muscovy duck not ready for mating. They pretty much stay away from the babies. And as long as your drake has plenty of females he’ll be happy hanging with them. If they are all out free ranging I doubt you’ll have any problems. Love to see some pics too when you have time. I’d def keep them separated over night for a while still being closed up can cause some bullying and it’s always my Muscovy females that do it.