Yesterday we added 2 indian runner ducks to our flock of chickens. The chickens don't bother them, but we are worried as the ducks don't leave the coop, and each time i've gone to check on them they are sat in the back corner and not eating or drinking. I threw some bread by them and they ate that, but didnt eat anything else, then we shooed them out and they stayed out all day and ate grass. Is this normal for new birds?
New Ducks settling in??
- Thread starter Tim Jack
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dorsetduckowner
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Hiya 
congrats on your new ducks.
Yes this is normal, ducks are terrified of anything new. If I change my ducks feed bowl they won't go near it for a whole day. So your are I. A new environment, have a new feed bowl, new water bowl, new flock mates.... They will be very wary and will not eat or drink. They will et grass as that will be familiar to them. Can you find out how their feed and water was presented before and try and do the same? They will settle eventually but you need to make sure they eat and drink. I had two that took ages, they hardly ate any bring for the first couple of weeks.
One thing you can try if they won't eat is to put corn/wheat in their water bowl, they will drink and then find the grain. They like to eat from or next to water. Keep us posted?
Zo
congrats on your new ducks.Yes this is normal, ducks are terrified of anything new. If I change my ducks feed bowl they won't go near it for a whole day. So your are I. A new environment, have a new feed bowl, new water bowl, new flock mates.... They will be very wary and will not eat or drink. They will et grass as that will be familiar to them. Can you find out how their feed and water was presented before and try and do the same? They will settle eventually but you need to make sure they eat and drink. I had two that took ages, they hardly ate any bring for the first couple of weeks.
One thing you can try if they won't eat is to put corn/wheat in their water bowl, they will drink and then find the grain. They like to eat from or next to water. Keep us posted?
Zo