Introducing new ducks

[BecksBirbs]

Hey all!
At the advice of several people, we are getting some additional hen ducks for our drake. (We currently have 1 male and 1 female Pekin)
Does anyone have any tips for introducing new birds?
Thank you so much!

 

[aart]

This is what I suggest for chickens, not sure if it applies to ducks tho.

Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Isaac 0]

How much space do your birds have to range? I have integrated around 30+ Ducks to my flock without any problems, due to the fact that they have space to roam and play instead of bulling the newcomers. If your birds are confined there will most likely be some fighting, in that case, I suggest you use @aart technique.

 

[BecksBirbs]

Thank you so much for the responses! (And thanks admins for moving the post for me- sorry about that!)
We have 2.5 acres of fenced area that is shared on and off with our chickens. If I let them range together, my drake goes after the hens. I'm hoping that by adding some more female ducks, I can pull his attention from the chickens and they can free-range together.
For waiting their turn for freedom, the 5 chickens have a 12' x 16' covered run, and the 2 ducks currently have a mobile corral of similar size. We are expanding the corral for the newcomers and also building a covered run adjacent to the chickens for the ducks. Originally, I had the ducks and chickens together. They currently sleep in the same coop, but the ducks have their own stall.