Wild Duck in Flock

[Wild Duck]

I recently started raising ducks this spring, when I was working my job as a landscaper and found two small ducklings in a fenced in backyard all alone. I took them home, raised them, and gave them as much outdoor time as I could. Eventually one flew off, which surprised me but was something I was willing to allow. The other duck is here to stay and doesn't seem to want to leave, which I am cool with, the ducks have become my favorite part of the day.

The wild duck that stayed is a female black duck, by the way. I recently thought that getting a muscovy duckling would be a good friend/idea. The black duck would constantly peck at it, if paying it any attention at all. So I went out again and got a older white layer duckling about the size of the black duck, and a 3 week old the same size of the muscovy, to try to ease the tension. The black duck really bites at all of them though, and it becomes a real problem when I try to put them in the run. I'm not sure if the black duck being wild causes this. If anyone's dealt with a similar scenario I would love to here some suggestions or advice, thank you!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

Pics of birds in question would be immensely helpful here.

As would knowing...
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[chickens really]

Yep...What are you dealing with really?

 

[Wild Duck]

I am in Massachusetts USA, these are my ducks yesterday, plus a couple individual pics

 

[Wild Duck]

One 4 month old wild black duck hen, one 3 week old muscovy, one 6 week old white layer duck, and one 3 week old white layer duckling

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looked like 3 duckling cuddling in that last pic. Pretty cute.

 

[Wild Duck]

Yes they are adorable. Its the black duck that I rescued that doesn’t like them and blocks them from getting in the pool or food, and snaps/pecks at them. I’ve tried putting barriers between them but but they make no progress at becoming friends.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s a big age difference 4 month to 3 weeks . Any integration takes time but you migh try putting the oldest together and the youngest together next to each other and see how that goes the two 3 week old need to be some bigger before being left with the older blk duck

 

[Wild Duck]

I understand that might take time with the 3 week old. In the meantime I don't like leaving the black duck alone and the 6 week duck stand the same height but gets attacked too.

 

[PirateGirl]

It's a big age difference. The younger ones (even maybe the 6 week old) don't have adult voices or feathers yet. The oldest/wild duck does not recognize them as her own ducklings but they are not old enough for her to recognize them as peers/flockmates yet either. Don't give up on them. Additionally, while related, muscovies are not the same. Be patient. I would keep the oldest separate but able to see/hear the others for now if there is danger of her hurting the little ones. If it's just bullying but you don't think she will hurt them, then you can try keeping them together, but give at least 2 water sources for drinking/bathing as well as two or three feeding stations.