they're nearly 8 weeks old but are fully grown-ish
At nearly 8 weeks old and close to being fully grown, your ducklings should be better equipped to join your other ducks in the coop. However, since they are still young and may not be fully integrated into the social dynamics of the older ducks, you'll still need to monitor their interactions carefully.
Here are a few tips for successfully integrating them:
1. **Introduction**: Start by allowing the ducks to see and hear each other through a barrier like a fence so they can get used to each other's presence without direct contact.
2. **Supervision**: When you introduce them, do so when you can closely supervise their interactions. This way, you can intervene if there are any signs of aggression or bullying.
3. **Plenty of Space**: Ensure that there is enough space in the coop for all the ducks to move around comfortably. This can help reduce any potential tension between them.
4. **Feeding**: Make sure there are multiple feeding and water stations to prevent competition over resources.
5. **Time**: Give them time to adjust to each other. It may take a while for the pecking order to be established, so be patient with the process.
6. **Safety**: If you notice any excessive aggression or bullying that puts the ducklings at risk, be prepared to separate them temporarily until they can be reintroduced in a controlled manner.
With proper supervision and gradual introduction, your ducklings should eventually be able to join your other ducks in the coop peacefully.
