when is it safe for babies...

[nickie]

He seems to focus more on the suspected males. BTW, thanks sourland for the input.

 

[Going Quackers]

I let my two fully feathered 8 week old out to free range only when someone is outside with them. My adult duck still sort of charges at them when she doesn't want them around. They try to get out of her way when they see her coming. They follow her around like she is their momma but still keep their distance a little from her. I have had them separated from her since I put them outside at night. I was waiting until they got bigger and could hold their own against her. I try them in the pen together some but she starts chasing them almost immediately. I think if you have that big a pen where there is plenty of hiding room it might work out for you. I would put them in there for short periods and see how it goes for a while, but I would do it at times I could watch them. Is their mom protective of them? I would think she keep them safe. Mine start fighting with in a few minutes of being together in the pen. I'm not sure my duck will ever like them because she has imprinted on humans. I really am new at this to so I'm just sharing my experience so far.

The lack of mama is a concern, since mine is a duck hatched it has her.. although my other ducks don't seem to bother it either, my oldest drake is rather protective of it and the mama but again they have all been raised together...

It's really all a judgement call, you know your birds best and your set-up.

 

[nickie]

Thanks everyone. I'm not usually the one to stress and ask for advice on little things. For crying out loud, their brooder still has plenty of room, they aren't much of an issue with noise, and they don't smell near as bad as turkeys so it isn't a huge rush to get them out. I think it would be nice if when its 97* out they could all use the pond all day instead of in shifts. That darn Rocky is really throwing a wrench in the ducks are happy and relaxing vibe I usually have.