new drake

[flockoblues]

A friend gave me a new drake yesterday. I put him in a pen outside where he could see my 3 ducks (and be seen) yesterday afternoon. He spent the night alone in our summer duck house. Today he started out in the pen, but managed to go under the fence (ground is still pretty frozen so pretty funky pen) and has been walking around with the girls all afternoon. I haven't seen any aggression so far. Is it ok to put him in the pen with the ducks for the night, or would you recommend another night alone? Thanks!

[Evy]

Why any night alone???? If you want fertile eggs, you better let him in. It ain't going to happen from outside. :roll: As far as aggression goes, the longer he gets teased, the worse it'll be. Drakes are NOT gentle anyway, so don't worry about them.

[flockoblues]

Thanks, Evy. I thought I had read here that new birds should be given a chance to see each other to acclimate prior to being put together, to avoid fighting, etc. I'll go put him with them. What a lucky guy. He's a year old and has only been with drakes, so far hasn't given any indication that he knows what is expected of him. So it may be the ducks who are feeling frustrated!