Integrating ducklings

[Allister]

Hi
I am new to waterfowl but have kept rescue hens for 3 years with little problem. I apply the same housing and security to my ducks that I have for the chickens. Plastic coup (Green Frog) and total enclosure of the run with electric fence as needed.
I bought 5adult ducks one drake and 4ducks. I have a lot of land and am creating a meadow. We dug a large duck pond which has a constant supply of water in and out. I have contained the pond with an electric fence at the moment. The ducks do not have a lot of dry land around the pond except for a secure run with a plastic dog kennel. When the meadow grass is mature the ducks will be able to have more free ranging space.
The ducks seem very happy and they lay 3 or 4 eggs a day. I feed with layers pellets and give them greens (Someone suggested that they should get some rabbits pellets for greens ? Any comments?)
Sorry this is becommimg epic!!!
I bought 12fertilised duck eggs don,t know what type.Of the 12,4 were not fertile. 7 of the eight hatched and they are now 5 weeks old and now live at night in the garage in a dog cage,during the day they are moved onto the lawn with a kids paddling pool. They are secure.
I have ordered a plastic duck house (Solway) which will be installed in my second chicken run also totally secure and the ducklings will live there until adult.
I am un sure how and when to introduce the ducklings to the adults in the main pond and at what age. If they fight in the pond I would not be able to rescue them as the pond is 7ft deep and 65ft by 33ft.
I don,t know they sex of the ducklings. Do ducks present the same problems as cockerels? I don't care about eggs I just really enjoy them and spend lots of time just watching them.
Any advice ,comments greatly appreciated.
Again sorry this is so long.

 

[NEWTODUCKS]

Hi,
My understanding is that ducks more readily accept newcomers than hens do.Would it be possible to do the initial introduction in the secure run where you have the dog kennel? I would have thought once fully feathered they would be safe to go to your main pond.
I have free range ducks and feed them layers pellets. I collect dandelion leaves for them which they love, they also have meal worms and corn as a treat.
I have 2 ducks and 2 drakes which works ok but too many drakes will mean the ducks are constantly being hassled. A batchelor group works ok but not more drakes than ducks.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hiya! All sounds wonderful

Intros are always hard to predict, depends on season and indivdual duck personality. As a rule wait until they are fully feathered adults

I have not heard of feeding rabbit pellets? Dark leafy greens are good, but not spinach as it messes with the calcium/phosphorus ratio too much. Kale is good, and lettuce, except iceberg which has no nutritional value

zo
x

 

[Allister]

Thank you so much for your replies.
I have been feeding spinache to both adults and ducklings but only a couple of times mostly lettuce ,have tried white cabbage (not popular). The adult ducks I trained with some white bread but I learned it has no food value so they would only get a little in an emergency if they have to move to another space if disturbing work was taking place. I wondered about the rabbits pellets as I think they havev spinach in them.
The ducklings are incredible they are 6 weeks today I lift them and their dog cage from the garage to the lawn daily . I can't belie their size or weight.
Their little blow-up paddling pool only stays clean for about 5mins so I change the water 2-3times a day. Yesterday when changing it the ducklings escaped into the garden and headed under a large fir tree. So their I am lying on my tummy, head and shoulders under this tree . No possibility of catching them. A little panicky, I stood up and these little ducks ran rings around me. I was getting a little distressed as we have another non duck pond in the garden also quite large and they were heading for it. I gave a little whistle noise (can't whistle) and unbelievable the ducks instantly stopped formed a group and trotted to their doge cage. I have never seen anything like it it was amazing. I read about imprinting and have not handled them as I want them to be their own man!!! All my chickens see me as a Sultana source and I get frisked every time they see me. I love to see them careering down the meadow when they see me but I might have created monsters as they would kill for sultanas.
Thanks for your advice I am sure their ill be lots more questions. I have just started some call duck eggs in the inc. I am unsure how many days they will take as they ducklings that are 6 weeks hatched on day 28 and I thought they should have taken 31/32 days will do some reading.
Thanks again
Allister

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Sounds wonderful! Glad you are enjoying them, they can be quite magical the little blighters.