Reintegration advise needed!!

[sydney202]

yesterday I had to remove a baby duck with a niacin deficiency from the group of 9 others. Once he is back on his feet and back to normal what is the best way to reintegrate him with the other. I'm afraid they are going to pick on him or reject him. Any tips would help! Thanks!

Sydney

 

[Amiga]

Separate them with a divider - let them see each other, then try letting them be together. If there is anything other than a few pokes, separate again, try again later. Eventually they seem to sort it out - just supervise till you are sure things are smooth.

 

[sydney202]

Put him back down with the others yesterday and he seems to be doing just fine!!

 

[Smurfbrew]

Put him back down with the others yesterday and he seems to be doing just fine!!

That's great! I was going to suggest a switch and shuffle like one other member on here described once, I can't remember who. But since she had a larger group like you, so next time she cleaned out the brooder she put a few ducks each in separate containers just to confuse everybody. Then she put the new duckie back in the brooder and added one duck from each container until they were all back together again. Sounds like you don't need to try anything quite so elaborate though.

 

[sydney202]

That's great!  I was going to suggest a switch and shuffle like one other member on here described once, I can't remember who.  But since she had a larger group like you, so next time she cleaned out the brooder she put a few ducks each in separate containers just to confuse everybody.  Then she put the new duckie back in the brooder and added one duck from each container until they were all back together again. Sounds like you don't need to try anything quite so elaborate though.

It's been a couple days since he's been back down there and it looks like he has been pecked a little bit. His neck and a small part of his back is a little ruffled. But when I'm down there they all act fine. Idk if I should intervene or just let them sort it out.

 

[Amiga]

This time of year I would not let them sort it out if it goes beyond a few ruffled or missing feathers - so keep watch and step in if it gets worse. That's what I do. I have not had to do it much, but a few times in spring, Bean gets to spend the night on the other side of a divider.

 

[Smurfbrew]

It's been a couple days since he's been back down there and it looks like he has been pecked a little bit. His neck and a small part of his back is a little ruffled. But when I'm down there they all act fine. Idk if I should intervene or just let them sort it out.

If you feel like he's getting picked on too much still , you could also try separating him for a while with just one buddy. That way when you do reintroduce them, they've got someone to watch each other's back.

 

[sydney202]

If you feel like he's getting picked on too much still , you could also try separating him for a while with just one buddy.  That way when you do reintroduce them, they've got someone to watch each other's back.

Do males or females tend to pick on them more so I know who to put in with him?

 

[Smurfbrew]

Do males or females tend to pick on them more so I know who to put in with him?

I've only had girls, so I'm not sure. But at this age maybe it doesn't really matter? I would just try to choose a less aggressive one to go with him.