merging youngsters

[PolloAdoro]

I have a mating pair of muscovys, maybe 4-6 months old. I just got 3 khaki campbell ducklings. At what point would it be considered safe to put them all together? Are ducks like chickens- will they pick on the younger ones and possibly kill them? Thanks for your advice.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Don't put them together without supervision. They are too far apart in age and breed to trust that the older ones won't pick on the younger.

 

[PolloAdoro]

yes, I understand that right now they are too young, but at what age should the youngest ones be when they would get along fine?

 

[PolloAdoro]

Anyone? Please?

 

[duckyfromoz]

It really depends on the temperament of those older muscovies.

I have some ducks that will tolerate youngsters being around- and others who will pick on them a bit. My ducklings are outside by six weeks old- in colder months they are in the shed day and night for a further few weeks - whereas the adults all go outside every day what ever the season. I have two separate pens in the shed- where the adults can see each group of ducklings as they are put outside before they are all introduced to the flock . Currently in my main flock the youngest ducks are 8 weeks- with another group of 8 ducklings that are 6 weeks old in the extra pen in the shed. Anywhere from about 4 weeks old they can have supervised visits together to start getting used to each other - but make sure you watch them carefully to be able to intervene if the muscovies do go for the younger ones. But I wouldnt suggest housing them together full time until the babies are at least 8 weeks old- and even then- only if the muscovies will tolerate them without picking on them.

 

[PolloAdoro]

Ok, thanks for the advice.