Mixed my 6 week olds and 2 week olds. Are they fighting or playing?

[sahmom4cj]

I have 2 6 week old Muscovy ducks and 12 2 week old Muscovy ducks. They've never seen each other before today when I put them together. At first the younger ones cuddled up to them and they were all lightly and seemingly playfully biting at each other. Shortly after, one of the smaller ones seemed to me like they were attacking one of the bigger ones and biting very hard at its wings and back of neck. The bigger one was actually scared and ran away. The other older one then started attacking the little one and basically put the smaller ones entire beak in its mouth. Neither of them acted too hurt or anything but it seemed a bit aggressive to me. I'm not sure what to make of it because one minute they seem to get along but the next they are doing this. Is it safe to leave them together? I'm worried that they'll kill them once I leave.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 2 6 week old Muscovy ducks and 12 2 week old Muscovy ducks. They've never seen each other before today when I put them together. At first the younger ones cuddled up to them and they were all lightly and seemingly playfully biting at each other. Shortly after, one of the smaller ones seemed to me like they were attacking one of the bigger ones and biting very hard at its wings and back of neck. The bigger one was actually scared and ran away. The other older one then started attacking the little one and basically put the smaller ones entire beak in its mouth. Neither of them acted too hurt or anything but it seemed a bit aggressive to me. I'm not sure what to make of it because one minute they seem to get along but the next they are doing this. Is it safe to leave them together? I'm worried that they'll kill them once I leave.

When introducing young ducklings to older they need to be kept separate by temp fencing for a time till they get use to each other. Your concerns are good don't leave them together, give them time to get to know each other through fencing then try to gradually get them together while tossing peas or dried mealworms something that they all really like.Eventually they will all be one flock but 6week old Muscovy's and 2 week old Muscovy's that is a bit scary the smaller ducklings really don't stand much of a chance against 6 week old ducks.

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