New indian runner!

[dham]

Hey everyone, I've just acquired an indian runner duckling of unknown age and sex... I think it's an apricot and about five weeks old. Anyhow, I also have a flock of six, six month old hens.... Once the duckling is done with quarantine and old enough, I'd like to integrate it into the flock. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

 

[dham]

Can anyone tell me the age/color of this duckling?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey everyone, I've just acquired an indian runner duckling of unknown age and sex... I think it's an apricot and about five weeks old. Anyhow, I also have a flock of six, six month old hens.... Once the duckling is done with quarantine and old enough, I'd like to integrate it into the flock. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Slowly would be my advise, separate rooms [like poultry fenceing down mddle of coop] but where they can still see and hear each other. then start letting them all be together while offering treats. But I would highly recommend you get another duck, ducks really like to be with their own kind. I'd also rec. you go on the Runner thread and ask about color, she is pretty. Here ya go.. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/609642/runner-duck-club/230#post_10785095 and Welcome to BYC!

 

[dham]

Thank you miss Lydia! I've discussed the companion duck option with my boyfriend and since we can't keep it if its a male (he's likely to go after the hens) we've decided to wait until we know it's sex. If its a female we'll probably end up getting her a friend. I do need to figure out someone in my area that I can get just one duck from or will let me have just one duck out a shipment though. Keeping it separate from the hens is really easy. Our coop is elevated and the underside is all 1/2 inch hardware cloth so they can see each other but not touch. Han Solo was quite happy to lay down close to the wire and chatter with the hens laying on the other side.