How long does it take to combine two flocks?

[SeaSea47]

As of this fall, I was down to four ducks who are 3 1/2 (two drakes and two hens). They all get along okay, but I was worried about over-mating (one of the hens has some health issues already so I was especially worried about her). So, I went ahead and ordered four new female ducklings in October.

They've lived separately until today - they're now in the big duck pen but in a large sectioned off area so they can all see/not touch each other. 3/4 of the original crew acts like they could care less, but one of the original hens (who is kind of the leader of the group) doesn't like it and tries to fight them through the hardware cloth. This is my first time combining flocks. How long should I wait until I let them mingle? How long has it generally taken y'all to mix two flocks?

Thanks!

 

[sarahgray18]

Hello! You have done a great job by putting them in a sectioned-off area where they can see each other without being able to touch each other. This will help them get used to each other.

I originally got four ducklings in May 2024 and ended up with two males and two females. I ordered six female ducklings in July (one ended up being a male) to help with the male-to-female ratio. Once the ducklings were 8 weeks old, I put them in a sectioned-off area of the duck run where they could see each other but not touch each other. I kept them like this for about a month, and the younger ones got supervised swims in the pool where the older ones could watch them. I had a similar situation where I often saw one or two of my older ducks charging at the fence and trying to fight the younger ones.

After the month of being able to see each other, I let them have supervised visits together (even with the charging at the fence). They had normal pecking-order fights, and no blood was drawn. After a week of supervised visits, I let them all stay together. The older ones would still chase the younger ones off, but within a couple of weeks, they all started sleeping together and got along great.

I would say if you feel comfortable, they can have some supervised visits together. I don't think you're supposed to intervene during pecking order fights unless they're being super aggressive or causing injuries. If you think they're being too aggressive after a couple of supervised visits, put them back in separate areas for a few days and then try again. Unfortunately, it won't be the same for everyone, so they might get along great or take a while.

More recently, I got an adult female duck for my male house duck (he stays inside during the winter due to health issues). I was taking ducks from the outside flock to keep him company, but it got super cold, and I was worried about bringing the others in and out since I didn't want to shock their systems. The first week was constant fighting on both sides of the barrier. Then, the fighting through the barrier stopped, and they would sleep right next to each other with the barrier between them. I decided to try to let them see each other, and there was non-stop fighting (and one duck lost a dewclaw). The fighting wasn't too aggressive, but due to his health issues, I wanted to be more cautious. I kept them separated for another week, and when I tried again the next time, they were best friends. Now, they follow each other around the house and sleep together.

It might take some time, but don't be discouraged. Let us know how it goes. Best of luck!

 

[Jenbirdee]

Great advice from @sarahgray18 just one more thing- your young females need to be egg laying age (or at least very close to it) before the older drakes start mating them. So close to 5 months old

 

[SeaSea47]

Hello! You have done a great job by putting them in a sectioned-off area where they can see each other without being able to touch each other. This will help them get used to each other.

I originally got four ducklings in May 2024 and ended up with two males and two females. I ordered six female ducklings in July (one ended up being a male) to help with the male-to-female ratio. Once the ducklings were 8 weeks old, I put them in a sectioned-off area of the duck run where they could see each other but not touch each other. I kept them like this for about a month, and the younger ones got supervised swims in the pool where the older ones could watch them. I had a similar situation where I often saw one or two of my older ducks charging at the fence and trying to fight the younger ones.

After the month of being able to see each other, I let them have supervised visits together (even with the charging at the fence). They had normal pecking-order fights, and no blood was drawn. After a week of supervised visits, I let them all stay together. The older ones would still chase the younger ones off, but within a couple of weeks, they all started sleeping together and got along great.

I would say if you feel comfortable, they can have some supervised visits together. I don't think you're supposed to intervene during pecking order fights unless they're being super aggressive or causing injuries. If you think they're being too aggressive after a couple of supervised visits, put them back in separate areas for a few days and then try again. Unfortunately, it won't be the same for everyone, so they might get along great or take a while.

More recently, I got an adult female duck for my male house duck (he stays inside during the winter due to health issues). I was taking ducks from the outside flock to keep him company, but it got super cold, and I was worried about bringing the others in and out since I didn't want to shock their systems. The first week was constant fighting on both sides of the barrier. Then, the fighting through the barrier stopped, and they would sleep right next to each other with the barrier between them. I decided to try to let them see each other, and there was non-stop fighting (and one duck lost a dewclaw). The fighting wasn't too aggressive, but due to his health issues, I wanted to be more cautious. I kept them separated for another week, and when I tried again the next time, they were best friends. Now, they follow each other around the house and sleep together.

It might take some time, but don't be discouraged. Let us know how it goes. Best of luck!

Thanks for your insight! This gives me a lot to work with. I actually had a pair who lived in the house for a year, and I was able to successfully introduce them back into the main flock last summer, but it definitely took some time. I’ve just never done it with this many.

 

[SeaSea47]

Great advice from @sarahgray18 just one more thing- your young females need to be egg laying age (or at least very close to it) before the older drakes start mating them. So close to 5 months old

Thanks! That’s one reason I’m just now bringing the new girls outside (that and cold weather - the sectioned off part is not as protected from wind as the other part). They are about four months old, so I definitely wouldn’t leave them alone with the boys for a few more weeks.