Single duckling

[friendlyearth]

We had one Indian Runner Duck egg hatch that some chickens were sitting on (they sit, but they are horrible mothers). Duckling has been in our house since it hatched a week ago. Completely imprinted on humans. We do take it outside to run in the grass for a fee minutes each day and we hold it and give it some cuddle time, but it is a lonely little one. We won't put it out with the ducks (3) and chickens until it has feathers. Do we need to find another duckling to put with it? Will a baby chicken work if we can't find a week old Indian Runner Duck? Don't really want a different breed duck.

Thanks!

 

[enriquec]

Why not quickly, but little by little get the lonely guy hanging out with the other ducks but coming back in with you until you feel he's ready? If not I'd probably get another duckling even if its not exactly a week old.

 

[friendlyearth]

I think he is still too little and he follows us not them. He would be able to get out the fence in at least one spot. Also temperature although our days have been warm.

I am thinking a chicken. Do you think that would be ok?

 

[enriquec]

I only know what other people have said, and its mixed reviews. But my opinion, in part based on a youtube video, is they're too different to be little in a small space. Duck is too wild and messy, chick is calm, and can hurt duck w/ sharp beak. I'm sure plenty of people will agree, and disagree. The video I saw did have a lot of each.. They formed packs and had to be separated because chicks could hurt ducks.

 

[smonkeySK]

I think he is still too little and he follows us not them. He would be able to get out the fence in at least one spot.   Also temperature although our days have been warm.

I am thinking a chicken. Do you think that would be ok?

They'll be perfectly fine together - just clean out more regularly so conditions aren't too wet for the chick.
This is from personal experience btw

 

[friendlyearth]

Thanks. We went and picked up a chick. Duckling isn't too sure. I held them together to try to get the duck used to it. Isn't quite so scared now.

 

[smonkeySK]

Ducks and ducklings don't like change but they're naturally curious so it won't take long till they get to know each other.
You may wind up with a duck who is more chicken than duck tho: but it's all good!

Edit - scared is a good start; I've tried mixing ducklings and chicks several times and the only time it didn't work was when the duckling showed aggression towards the chicks.

 

[friendlyearth]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Hopefully the duckling is still young enough to bond (6 days) and aggression won't be a problem. Imprinting generally occurs in the first 5 for ducks, but hoping we can get a bit of imprinting going on here. Wish I would have done this earlier. This was going to be a really messed up duck if we didn't do something. Putting it out with the others would have been so scary later one . At least birds will look familiar!

I appreciate hearing what to be aware of. Would have rather found a duckling, but lucky to find anything this late in the year.

 

[smonkeySK]

The duck in this pic was about 2 or 3 weeks old when put in with 3 chicks.

She's still a chicken at heart nearly 6 months later..

The aggression was instantaneous with the duckling who wouldn't accept the chicks; if she's sharing a space without squabbling then there's no reason why they won't be best buddies within days