Ducklings and Drakes

[Sunflower0306]

My 7 ducklings are now 5 weeks old. Boy do they grow fast. I have had mom with them this whole time. My poor drake is alone on the other side of their divided enclosure, he also has access to outside where the other others do not. My Drake is a big Peeking. Mom is a Magpie.
There is so much information out there. I’m at a loss on what to do…

How do I integrate them all? And when is a good age?
Is that safe for the ducklings? My drake can see them, but he cannot reach them.


It is too cold to take them outside still here in the Midwest. I know they’re all still babies but over half mom‘s size now.
She sometimes acts like she wants to be on the other side with him. But is still being a really good mom.
My Drake is protective of his area. This started before the ducklings came along.
He loves to try to get a hold of the chickens through the fence to nab a feather or two. I even have a few hens that like to walk the top of his fence. When they fly down into his side I have seen him drag them out of his enclosure by their wing. ( Removing the unwanted guest. ) I have to say it’s very funny because nobody gets hurt but he’s making his point.
Not sure if it’s pertinent, but apparently he was purchased as the only duckling with a bunch of baby chickens and was raised up with them until six months of age. The young family no longer wanted him. And listed him on social media for free. So for me, it was more of a rescue mission. I never intending at that time to have ducks. Now we are one big duck family.

Any personal experiences and suggestions I will happily embrace….

 

[KathiQuacks]

It’s going to depend on his temperament when they can all be together. The safe age to put ducklings with a drake is 3-4 months old, which is when they begin mating practice. Any earlier risks mating injury / death.

I have a well tempered boy and was able to introduce my ducklings when they were 4 weeks old. He left them alone until they were well old enough for mating.

For integration, you’ll want to do supervised visits every day. Separate if there’s any bad biting or if you cannot be there to watch. Only keep everyone together full-time when you’re certain they’re getting along. My ducklings took about 2 weeks to fully integrate this way.

Do be careful with your drake and chickens as well. You say no one’s been hurt, but he could most definitely hurt / kill your chickens if he tries to mate with them, too

 

[Sondraa]

My 7 ducklings are now 5 weeks old. Boy do they grow fast. I have had mom with them this whole time. My poor drake is alone on the other side of their divided enclosure, he also has access to outside where the other others do not. My Drake is a big Peeking. Mom is a Magpie.
There is so much information out there. I’m at a loss on what to do…

How do I integrate them all? And when is a good age?
Is that safe for the ducklings? My drake can see them, but he cannot reach them.


It is too cold to take them outside still here in the Midwest. I know they’re all still babies but over half mom‘s size now.
She sometimes acts like she wants to be on the other side with him. But is still being a really good mom.
My Drake is protective of his area. This started before the ducklings came along.
He loves to try to get a hold of the chickens through the fence to nab a feather or two. I even have a few hens that like to walk the top of his fence. When they fly down into his side I have seen him drag them out of his enclosure by their wing. ( Removing the unwanted guest. ) I have to say it’s very funny because nobody gets hurt but he’s making his point.
Not sure if it’s pertinent, but apparently he was purchased as the only duckling with a bunch of baby chickens and was raised up with them until six months of age. The young family no longer wanted him. And listed him on social media for free. So for me, it was more of a rescue mission. I never intending at that time to have ducks. Now we are one big duck family.

Any personal experiences and suggestions I will happily embrace….

Always makes me sad to see "no longer wanted". Thank you for turning things around for him. Second chance in life.

 

[Sondraa]

It’s going to depend on his temperament when they can all be together. The safe age to put ducklings with a drake is 3-4 months old, which is when they begin mating practice. Any earlier risks mating injury / death.

I have a well tempered boy and was able to introduce my ducklings when they were 4 weeks old. He left them alone until they were well old enough for mating.

For integration, you’ll want to do supervised visits every day. Separate if there’s any bad biting or if you cannot be there to watch. Only keep everyone together full-time when you’re certain they’re getting along. My ducklings took about 2 weeks to fully integrate this way.

Do be careful with your drake and chickens as well. You say no one’s been hurt, but he could most definitely hurt / kill your chickens if he tries to mate with them, too

Sounds like he has had opportunities to mate with her chickens and has removed them from his space instead which is a good sign.