cfong12000
In the Brooder
- Mar 25, 2019
- 7
- 9
- 11
Hello, everyone! I am new to raising ducks and I have a question... I am sorry this is so long, but here it goes:
I have 8 "ducklings" that are 11 weeks old - all hatched together. One of them got her leg/ankle hurt a little over a week ago. We kept her isolated in a crate inside the duck run, as she was really stressed about being alone. She is about 85 - 90% better now - still a little swelling and her balance is off when she balances on one leg preening. She's also not yet graceful getting in and out of the kiddie pool. We did a test reintroduction a few days ago as she seemed really good at first. A couple started picking on her whenever she stumbled, but then they all settled down and let her eat with them. Then, as the day wore on, they would kick her out of the shade. She would not go to any of the other shaded areas and would sit next to them in the sun. At that point, we separated her again as the sun and heat were too much plus we felt she needed to really rest her leg as you could tell she was getting tired and gimpier. Since then, we have really restricted her time with the flock, letting her be with them only once. They quickly started attacking her again and ganged up on her. Since then, we decided to make sure she is 100% before she is allowed real time with them.
My question though is: Am I possibly setting up a dynamic where she will always be teamed up against? Today she was in her carrier while they were roaming and the entire flock gathered around her. I couldn't tell if it was aggressive or inclusive. My husband thought they wanted to sleep near her. She is still kept in the run with them and is making serious noises that she wants to join them, but I am worried that we either rushed it before - or that things have been set up where we will need to rehome her if she will ever find a flock for her again. ANY advice would be most appreciated!! Thank you!!
I have 8 "ducklings" that are 11 weeks old - all hatched together. One of them got her leg/ankle hurt a little over a week ago. We kept her isolated in a crate inside the duck run, as she was really stressed about being alone. She is about 85 - 90% better now - still a little swelling and her balance is off when she balances on one leg preening. She's also not yet graceful getting in and out of the kiddie pool. We did a test reintroduction a few days ago as she seemed really good at first. A couple started picking on her whenever she stumbled, but then they all settled down and let her eat with them. Then, as the day wore on, they would kick her out of the shade. She would not go to any of the other shaded areas and would sit next to them in the sun. At that point, we separated her again as the sun and heat were too much plus we felt she needed to really rest her leg as you could tell she was getting tired and gimpier. Since then, we have really restricted her time with the flock, letting her be with them only once. They quickly started attacking her again and ganged up on her. Since then, we decided to make sure she is 100% before she is allowed real time with them.
My question though is: Am I possibly setting up a dynamic where she will always be teamed up against? Today she was in her carrier while they were roaming and the entire flock gathered around her. I couldn't tell if it was aggressive or inclusive. My husband thought they wanted to sleep near her. She is still kept in the run with them and is making serious noises that she wants to join them, but I am worried that we either rushed it before - or that things have been set up where we will need to rehome her if she will ever find a flock for her again. ANY advice would be most appreciated!! Thank you!!