Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[beckyfitz]

Since the loss of her sister, Harry has been 'alone' with the chickens for nearly a year now, but have long thought she needed some company - especially when I see her camped outside the chicken eglu when they've gone to bed!

So finally we have a friend for her, Hip Hop, but she is still quite small at only 4 weeks.

Yesterday & today have given them time to free-range in short bursts, first just the two ducks, then all the chickens as well.

As expected, the chickens have a go at her given the chance, & she follows Harry round like she's her mummy!

I was going to put her in to sleep with Harry but as she is trying to show her 'quacking' order & putting her neck across Hip Hop I'm afraid if they are shut in the duck house together Harry might do her some real damage or suffocate her.

So, my plan is to keep Hip Hop indoors in a brooding box at night for a week, give them supervised time together in the WIR, & if I need to leave them all alone during the day Hip Hop will stay in the pet carrier with food & water in the run, so they can all see each other but can't get at her.

By next weekedn she will be bigger still (they grow so quickly!) & hopefully will be able to cope with sleeping with Harry??

Any alternative ideas? I'm quite liking her peeping in the corner of the lounge while I'm relaxing in the evenings

Becky x

[Chucky1]

Becky I think you're playing it right. I'd carry on as you are and as opportunities arise give them more alone time.

 

We had a similar situation earlier in the year - ended up with me buying three more ducklings to introduce the lone hatchling to the other eight.

 

 

Good Luck

[Lesley]

Can you section off an area where she will be able to see all the others but they can't bully her?, then gradually integrate her as she becomes big enough to cope?

[zoejames]

I agree with the previous post, wait until she is a little older to let them in together full time. While she is alone indoor though you need to make sure she has company as she will suffer greatly being alone, that is why she is peeping as she is calling for companions. Ducks are not used to being alone at all and they find it very stressful.

 

One other thing you need to watch for when you are introducing a new member to your flock is the newbie picking up microbial infections. The newbie will not have the same antibodies as the duck you have therefore will be susceptible to picking up infections from bacteria on the ground from your brood. Can you pen off an area where the others cannot go before you put her outside? If not just keep a very very close eye on her for signs of infection, they can go within 24 hours at that age. I don't mean to worry you, but I have seen it happen so often with new little ones. If you are at all worried get her straight to a vet for a shot of Baytril.

 

So you are doing the right thing by keeping her in, but company for her is vital while she is alone or she won't thrive, good excuse to keep her with you at all times

 

When you introduce them put them both in somewhere new together, they will squabble it out for pecking order and this may take a few days, but females tend not to really hurt each other, so don't worry too much!

 

Good luck!

 

Zo

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