Little Guys with my Big Boys

[PeaChick C]

I have seven blue sweedish ducks that live in a duck coop made out of an old dog house. They are usually free-range but I have them confined in a pin right now because of some overly aggressive guineas (oh the joys of springtime).

Recently we bought two little East Indies ducks and boy are they beauties. I have kept them in a small enclosure inside our chicken and guinea coop for a week so they feel cozy and at home. Now we need to figure out where they will live.

Can we put them out with our big ducks? Or will they beat them up? Are they prone to flying off?

Anyone with more experience have any ideas on how to keep my new little guys with my big ducks? Or do they need their own housing.

Pea-Chick C

 

[Amiga]

I would lean toward their own suite. There is a possibility they'll get along - it really depends on the ducks and the way they are introduced. You could try having them side by side, separated by a fence to see how it looks. I did that with the runners and the three new buffs, and Einz spent weeks screaming at them. She still doesn't really like Bean, but that's a long story that continues to this day.

If I recall correctly, they (the East Indies) can fly so they'll need their wings clipped.

That is a beautiful breed, I think. Congratulations!

 

[PeaChick C]

They are beauties. They are pitch black in the dark and glow beetle green in the sunlight.

Clipping Wings
I imagine that there are Youtube Video tutorials on how to clip duck wings. Anyone point me that way or to a website tutorial? I don't clip our guineas' wings. We are in a remote area and they graze in our cattle pasture by day and glide in at night to roost. They even sunbath on the roof on nice days. I am sure I can learn how to clip wings. I taught myself how to trim horse hooves and I am sure it is easier.

I also worry about the big ducks 'taking advantage' of the little lady and I want to make sure her babies are East Indies and not crosses.

 

[Snownoir]

Pics please!!!!

 

[PeaChick C]

 

[PeaChick C]

There's a better shot of his shiny head. It's funny, I had worried so much about the big ducks mounting the little girl and they don't seem interested at all. But the little drake chases down a big gray duck once or twice a day. ;-)

 

[Snownoir]

Those colors are SO stunning

 

[PeaChick C]

After a month of the ducks being socialized I would like to report that those plucky little East Indies which we affectionately call "Mr. and Mrs. Green", are in no danger of harassment from the big Sweeds. In fact, they are two plucky little fellows. They will chase a big duck around and out of a space they consider theirs. They are terrified of our guineas though, but are quite capable of self defense despite being clipped. I still haven't seen any eggs. They nest together in a box in our coop. My hope is that they will produce some little Greens later this summer.