Welcome to the flock, Carmella, Bean and Hazel :-D

[Going Quackers]

It's an ongoing process, i had some of my chocolates fighting the other day... they turn 9mths and 11mths this month... clearly establishing pecking orders.. My moved broody failed, she abandoned the nest but one of the turning 9mth olds has taken it over?

so she's a broody bear lol

So i gather your expecting then? if i understood correctly.

 

[Amiga]

It's an ongoing process, i had some of my chocolates fighting the other day... they turn 9mths and 11mths this month... clearly establishing pecking orders.. My moved broody failed, she abandoned the nest but one of the turning 9mth olds has taken it over?

so she's a broody bear lol

So i gather your expecting then? if i understood correctly.

Oh, I am not ready for hatching, natural or otherwise right now. Mercy. Oh, I do get these moments where the thought of a little baby or three sounds like the most lovely addition to the household. Then I remember how full my hands are with a divided flock, and how difficult it is to get away for more than a day as it is, and decide to wait.

Romette is sitting on a wooden egg. Shhhh don't tell her.

 

[Going Quackers]

Oh, I am not ready for hatching, natural or otherwise right now. Mercy. Oh, I do get these moments where the thought of a little baby or three sounds like the most lovely addition to the household. Then I remember how full my hands are with a divided flock, and how difficult it is to get away for more than a day as it is, and decide to wait.

Romette is sitting on a wooden egg. Shhhh don't tell her.

LOL! i won't tell. Yes, it's a load of fun... i may go crazy soon.

 

[Amiga]

May I report that, with Bean in the Veranda, Hazel, Romy and Carmella in one section of Day Pen, and Runners in the other, that all has been rather peaceful. Today. So far.

 

[Amiga]

Almost a year later.

Since just after Valentine's Day, we have been two flocks. The turf battle over Romy's hot little self raged until about maybe a month ago, when she got broody and Bean started molting.

Here I stand, overlooking the runners and coffees, with the broodies in the night pen.

Fünf just harassed Carmella, so Bean went to Melly's defense, which stirred Vier up, so Bean shoved Vier which gave Fünfie an opportunity to run a few feet away and then everyone was fine. Wing flaps all around.

May the Lord bless us with one flock before winter.

 

[Going Quackers]

Oh my, well sadly you may never. I see a break down into mini flocks here, even pairs.. i don't think it's unusual at all. I run 19 in that flock and all vary ages, they all have their ways and almost cliques some of it is aging some of it sex.

Hopefully, as hormones set aside things will calm down? overall, they sound like their doing well though.

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Going Quackers. The biggest downside of the split is the level of complexity it introduces for training others to handle the flock. It would be very serious in my opinion for Bean to be penned with Romy during mating season. I would expect blood and injury.

Perhaps I am too pessimistic, but I prefer to err on the side of keeping everyone safe and healthy.

The aim of my updating this thread is to provide a little picture of the ups and downs of introducktions, letting folks know a bit of what to expect. Then again, since each duck is different, who really knows what to expect?

I appreciate your description of how things go with your birds. Do they all shelter together at night? I forgot.

 

[Amiga]

Drum roll, please.


We are, thank the Lord, one flock right now.

I do not count on this lasting through next spring, but hey, if we can be one flock in wintertime, that is a blessing. And perhaps by then our insecure flock members will be able to sort it all out.

But this feels like big news, and I wanted to share it - prayers answered.

 

[Carcajou]

 

[Miss Lydia]