Introducing a Mama and baby duck back into the flock

[littleloveblue]

Hi. We started keeping ducks a few years ago. We have 4 (now 5) Ancona breed ducks, 3 females and one male. One of our ducks is very broody. Last year she sat on a nest and we had 3 hatch out but found none alive, sadly. She tried again this year and had only one hatchling, but she (or he) did survive! The baby is now 4 weeks old and doing really well, and getting big. We have kept her and Mama penned separately from the other ducks since she was born. They are right next to each other and can see what the others are doing and interact somewhat. We need to move all of them this weekend, and they will have a much larger space to roam. I'm wondering about introducing Mama and baby back into the flock? I've read a lot online about waiting to introduce new babies because they can get picked on. We always did that with our chickens, but we raised them ourselves without a Mama. I'm wondering if we can introduce the baby earlier if she has the Mama to protect her? Has anyone done this? I'd love to know about your experience. Thanks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I have mamas and babies I do as you keep them close to the rest but safe till the ducklings are at least 3 weeks old, then while I am out with them I will let mom and ducklings out with the flock usually as long as mom is there no one will pick on the ducklings. So start now by letting them all out together with supervision and see how it goes. tossing something yummy on the ground can help too that way they aren't so interested in mom and baby and filling up their tummy's.

There could be some picking since the mom and baby are still going to be new stuff but hopefully it won't be bad just getting pecking order established again.

 

[quackingdom]

I used to keep my ducklings separate from the flock for several weeks, and I still do for the night, but now I just let the mom decide whether to take them out with the flock or not. I haven't had any problem with ducklings of any age, even just a few days old, mixing with the flock, as long as the mom is with them. They get pecked occasionally, but that's it.

 

[littleloveblue]

Thank you both! I think mom (especially) and baby are tired of being in smaller area by themselves. I will give them a chance to mix, keeping an eye on them.