Welcome to my pond - Swim, wade, or sit on the bank

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So I have a serious question, yesterday I had a single duckling hatch, found the egg on the bank assuming that my Rougen laid it, anyway incubated it and yesterday she hatched what I assumed was 4 days early. I have 2 calls who hatched 2 weeks ago and are still really small so I figured that I would just put the single duckling in with them... WRONG!!! the calls are HORRIBLE to the new duckling, and when I say horrible, I mean they grab her with their beaks and drag her around like a rag doll. I recorded this happening because I needed to see (in slow motion) what they did and it was almost hard to watch. I would post the video but don't think y'all wanna see this :(
My question is this, could the calls sense something maybe wrong with the new hatchling and are being defensive because it's a natural instinct? I'm so confused at how they both attack her, has anyone else had a problem with introducing non siblings to one another?? I'm going crazy because I have to be with this new one ALL THE TIME!!! She's not going to know she's a duck if things don't improve...
 
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lucysducks11 said:
So I have a serious question, yesterday I had a single duckling hatch, found the egg on the bank assuming that my Rougen laid it, anyway incubated it and yesterday she hatched what I assumed was 4 days early. I have 2 calls who hatched 2 weeks ago and are still really small so I figured that I would just put the single duckling in with them... WRONG!!! the calls are HORRIBLE to the new duckling, and when I say horrible, I mean they grab her with their beaks and drag her around like a rag doll. I recorded this happening because I needed to see (in slow motion) what they did and it was almost hard to watch. I would post the video but don't think y'all wanna see this
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My question is this, could the calls sense something maybe wrong with the new hatchling and are being defensive because it's a natural instinct? I'm so confused at how they both attack her, has anyone else had a problem with introducing non siblings to one another?? I'm going crazy because I have to be with this new one ALL THE TIME!!! She's not going to know she's a duck if things don't improve...
Click to expand...

That is exactly opposite of the behavior I experienced in my short but sweet time with Calls. However, it's what I'd expect if I put my new hatched turkeys in with my two week old chickens. The new duckling is probably intimidated and still a little unsteady, which are both signs of weakness.

I've always been able to mix different ages by waiting until the newly introduced birds are fully active, stable, and able to take care of themselves. And then to introduce in the dark. If you are using a lamp on your brooder, that's a tough one. But I'd suggest trying again in a couple of days.
 
lucysducks11 said:
So I have a serious question, yesterday I had a single duckling hatch, found the egg on the bank assuming that my Rougen laid it, anyway incubated it and yesterday she hatched what I assumed was 4 days early. I have 2 calls who hatched 2 weeks ago and are still really small so I figured that I would just put the single duckling in with them... WRONG!!! the calls are HORRIBLE to the new duckling, and when I say horrible, I mean they grab her with their beaks and drag her around like a rag doll. I recorded this happening because I needed to see (in slow motion) what they did and it was almost hard to watch. I would post the video but don't think y'all wanna see this :(
My question is this, could the calls sense something maybe wrong with the new hatchling and are being defensive because it's a natural instinct? I'm so confused at how they both attack her, has anyone else had a problem with introducing non siblings to one another?? I'm going crazy because I have to be with this new one ALL THE TIME!!! She's not going to know she's a duck if things don't improve...
Click to expand...


Imo.... Ducks don't like it when you add new members to their flock. I hatched of a orphan duck last summer.... My flock wouldn't except her for the longest time.... Especially when they sensed her weakness.... But for the longest time i was her mom.
She seems settled in now.
 
Last edited:
lucysducks11 said:
So I have a serious question, yesterday I had a single duckling hatch, found the egg on the bank assuming that my Rougen laid it, anyway incubated it and yesterday she hatched what I assumed was 4 days early. I have 2 calls who hatched 2 weeks ago and are still really small so I figured that I would just put the single duckling in with them... WRONG!!! the calls are HORRIBLE to the new duckling, and when I say horrible, I mean they grab her with their beaks and drag her around like a rag doll. I recorded this happening because I needed to see (in slow motion) what they did and it was almost hard to watch. I would post the video but don't think y'all wanna see this :(
My question is this, could the calls sense something maybe wrong with the new hatchling and are being defensive because it's a natural instinct? I'm so confused at how they both attack her, has anyone else had a problem with introducing non siblings to one another?? I'm going crazy because I have to be with this new one ALL THE TIME!!! She's not going to know she's a duck if things don't improve...
Click to expand...


Lone ducks have a really hard time being accepted into flocks. I have never had good luck trying to introduce just one duck to an established flock. Even ducklings can bully outsiders that come alone. I would split the brooder in half with hardware cloth and put the new guy on one side so they can all see each other but the older ones can't get to it to bully it. In time hopefully they will let it into the flock.
 
RavynFallen said:
And a deal is a deal... first good pair (or trio) outta them goes to you...
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So cute!!! I got 3 happy feet chicks now, 1st hatched still can't walk but figured out how to frog hop across the bator!
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Usually that would be the Jack I was referring to!
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Jack is a friend of many here, username LocalYokel, but he doesn't get on BYC anymore... he picked up a nice big box of Am eggs from me...
You know Jack!
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Adorable!!!


I just know Chris' tongue is bloody raw!
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ETA: was great to meet Jack, passed on all the
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and being missed sentiments... sent him home with a crap ton of Am eggs to hatch, lol...
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Well I guess I do know JACK CHIT !!!!!!!!!! where did you go to meet him ????????????? and once again you didn't took me
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WVduckchick said:
Impressive Deb! You should have bought some for Mark.
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No Wyandottes for me, the silver laced are gorgeous. We had a "pond" member, SideWing, that bred some beautiful ones, but I can't think of anyone else here with them, although someone probably does. K might have some.
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I miss SideWing too.
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Click to expand...

Yes I dose . I'm posed to be filling up the cabinets now . Sliver laced gold laced marans and EEs . I'm going to try the sanding the aircell thing on the Marans to see if more hatch . I better get back out there
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