Integrating adopted ducks

[VTHobbyDucks]

First time posting, but definitely have read through a few threads as my husband and I got both ducklings and chicks for the first time this spring!

We currently have 4 ducks we’ve raised from ducklings, they were unsexed and unfortunately we ended up with 2 males, 2 females (they’re mixed cayugas/black Swedish). We know that ratio is terrible so have been looking to add more females to even things out. A neighbor recently was looking to rehome 2 female pekins about the same age as our flock so we jumped on the opportunity. We’ve only had the new ducks for 2 days, so I know it’s early but we had a few questions!

We currently free range our ducks during the day, and although we almost never pick them up, they’re certainly comfortable with us around and we can easily herd them where we want them to go. The new ducks have only ever lived in a run during the day and don’t seem like they were handled at all so are VERY skittish (I realize their world was also just flipped upside down so are a bit stressed). They are currently impossible to herd since they run too fast away from you to be able to steer. I guess my main question is whether we will ever be able to free range them with our flock (assuming they end up getting along), or if their early life experiences can’t be overcome at this point. We also weren’t sure if we should expect them to integrate with the current flock eventually, or is there a chance they won’t ever be accepted?

We currently have the new ducks separated in a run (the current flock and new ducks can see each other through the chicken wire) during the day and a separate house at night.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[LT71689]

I'd give them some time to settle in. Especially if the neighbor wasnt very present with them, they're likely just a bit freaked out. Once they integrate with the existing ducks they'll likely pick up patterns and follow them around and will get the hang of being put out and brought back in, and you can work with them on getting used to you. Treats and just spending as much time as you can in their presence not being scary helps. Seeing the other ducks not be afraid of you will probably help too.

As for smooth integration - they are animals with some degree of personality, there's always a chance that one or more say "nope. always gonna be a royal jerk" and that's that, but they're also very nervous animals, so its more likely that when everything stops being so incredibly scary and they settle down that they integrate fine. They're still plenty young. Your ratio might still be a bit wonky though - common recommendation is 4+ females per male so when spring rolls around if you catch your drakes fighting or overmating the girls, you might need to go through the whole process again with a couple more females in the mix.

 

[Quatie]

You can integrate the new ducks into the flock. It will take some time. It is recommended when introducing new ducks into a flock that they have separate areas where they can see and hear each other. They also need to be separated in the coop as well. You will want to do that for a week or more. You can then let them spend time together during the day while still keeping a part at night. Lastly you let them share the coop.

Even then they may not fully get a long for a while. I added new ducks to my flock and it took a couple months for them to really full integrate. On the opposite side, I had 2 other ducks I added and they integrated in a couple of weeks.

The main thing is patience. They will get along over time. Same thing with the ducks getting along with you. Even if they did spend time with the ducks, the ducks don't know you. They know the difference between different humans. They will need to get to know you and trust you.

 

[RJKnott]

When I tried to integrate my 2 Rouens with my original 2 pekins, my female pekin, Peep, was very hostile. It took about a week before she just accepted them. Now the 4 are i separable. We rescued a third pekin recently and the flock took to her immediately. No adjustment time needed.

I try to let them out of their pen during the day. The pekins have never been fans of being out in the open and prefer to be in their run. The Rouens normally love free ranging. But lately just want to stay in the pen too. There have been 4-5 hawks that have taken up hunting in my area so the ducks are staying where it’s safe. I make a point to spend lots of time with them so they are used to me being around

the more they see you interact with the other ducks and see you aren’t a threat, the more they will be ok with you.

 

[VTHobbyDucks]

Thanks everyone for the replies! We will continue to wait it out and let them settle in. They already don’t immediately rush to the other side of the pen when we approach, so I’ll take that as progress.

We do plan to get more (sexed) ducklings in the spring to add to our female numbers and are preparing to drop to one male if things get too out of control when the snow starts thawing before the ducklings are old enough to introduce to the flock.

 

[KaleIAm]

I adopted 3 feral one year old ducks who were terrified of me. Within months they were following me around, coming when I called, and eating from my hand. It took longer for them to become as tame as the ducks I raised from day olds, but 5 years later they certainly are.

This is what I did it tame them. I was very patient. I moved at the ducks pace and didn't rush things.

1) Avoid being scary. I didn't make eye contact with them - that's what predators do. I looked next to them instead. I walked in wide arcs around them instead of directly at them. I didn't startle them, I moved slowly around them. Anything I noticed that made them feel afraid I didn't do.
2) Be a good thing! I wanted them to associate me with delicious things. So everytime they saw me I threw them mealworms. At first I just threw bugs and backed slowly away. Then I stayed. Then I threw them closer. Then I sat down and threw them. Then they were eating from my hands and lap.
3) Spend as much time as possible with them being still. Put a blanket nearby, read, knit, nap. Do something not scary. Every day or week moved the blanket a little closer. And throw them lots of mealworms.

I also think the new ducks following the existing flock around will likely help a lot. You may want to follow quarantine recommendations for new birds, though. I rushed that part and my existing flock got very ill.

The first time I adopted ducks they fit in with my existing flock liked they had always belonged. The second time I adopted only one duck and my flock disliked her from the beginning. They eventually accepted her and stopped pecking at her, but they never loved her like the rest of the flock even though years passed.