Introducing New Ducks

[Ellagance]

Hi, so I recently lost a duck to a fox and had my girl left. She was so distraught that our neighbors contacted their friends and were able to give us two new ducks. So just for context my duck, pickles, is an Ancona. These ducks came this past Sunday and they're about 4 months old (or that's what the woman said), and she said she asked for females but they came unsexed. Since they're younger, their gender is still kind of unknown, but they haven't made any honks and mostly make that male noise. They're "white crested" whatever that means, and they are easily twice the size of Pickles. I'm nervous because the two of them are bonded, and try everything in their power to exclude her from anything. Is there any advice for integrating a pair of ducks into a 1 duck flock? Everything online is about adding ducks to a flock, but we don't have a flock. Should I try to get ducklings instead, or is there anything I can do?
Thank you,
Ella

 

[Bridger Davis]

Sorry, I'm not much help. But I'll tag some ppl for help! Hope all goes well! @chickens really @Pyxis @rjohns39 @Ravynscroft @DuckLady

 

[Ravynscroft]

Hi, so I recently lost a duck to a fox and had my girl left. She was so distraught that our neighbors contacted their friends and were able to give us two new ducks. So just for context my duck, pickles, is an Ancona. These ducks came this past Sunday and they're about 4 months old (or that's what the woman said), and she said she asked for females but they came unsexed. Since they're younger, their gender is still kind of unknown, but they haven't made any honks and mostly make that male noise. They're "white crested" whatever that means, and they are easily twice the size of Pickles. I'm nervous because the two of them are bonded, and try everything in their power to exclude her from anything. Is there any advice for integrating a pair of ducks into a 1 duck flock? Everything online is about adding ducks to a flock, but we don't have a flock. Should I try to get ducklings instead, or is there anything I can do?
Thank you,
Ella

First, if they're 4 months old or even close to that, then they're sexable by voice... no loud quacks means drakes... also, I would guess from your description of their size that they are Crested Pekins, could even be a possibility of Jumbos as those have been sold quite often lately as regular Pekins...

2 drakes to 1 duck is never good odds... and being twice her size not even fully grown, even worse...

Honestly, I would return them and look for either a single duck or drake, or get ducklings... in the meantime, an unbreakable mirror and large stuffed animal to sleep near might help her loneliness...

 

[chickens really]

It takes time...Look no touch pen for the first few days and then it's just time..Ducks generally do not take long to make friends..Have two water and food stations..

 

[Ellagance]

First, if they're 4 months old or even close to that, then they're sexable by voice... no loud quacks means drakes... also, I would guess from your description of their size that they are Crested Pekins, could even be a possibility of Jumbos as those have been sold quite often lately as regular Pekins...

2 drakes to 1 duck is never good odds... and being twice her size not even fully grown, even worse...

Honestly, I would return them and look for either a single duck or drake, or get ducklings... in the meantime, an unbreakable mirror and large stuffed animal to sleep near might help her loneliness...

Thank you so much for this, I suspected that this was the case, and I just wanted to make sure. I'm going to try to order from metzer farms, but the shipping fee is crazy (since I live in Pennsylvania).

 

[Ravynscroft]

Thank you so much for this, I suspected that this was the case, and I just wanted to make sure. I'm going to try to order from metzer farms, but the shipping fee is crazy (since I live in Pennsylvania).

You're very welcome! It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to loved pets...

Metzers is a bit pricey, fees wise, but they are the only ones I know of that ship small numbers of ducklings and offer sexed ones... I know many who have used them and are thrilled with them... good luck, and let us know how it goes!

 

[Ellagance]

You're very welcome! It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to loved pets...

Metzers is a bit pricey, fees wise, but they are the only ones I know of that ship small numbers of ducklings and offer sexed ones... I know many who have used them and are thrilled with them... good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Of course!