TheLittleWomen
Hatching
Hello!
I acquired 3 Indian Runner ducklings about a week and half ago. I'm estimating them at 2 weeks old. Right now I have them in their brooder, but I am wondering how to go about integrating them in with my backyard flock of 5 chickens. My chickens are a year old. They have their coop and a run with free range from sun up to sun down on my property. I am planning a separate coop for the ducks, but a shared run, and free range time from sun up to sun down. The run is where the chicken's have their food and water.
So....
How do I introduce the chickens to the ducklings so that it is not traumatic for anyone. At what age would you move them to the "duck coop"? I have read they are fully feathered at 8 weeks, that is when I am planning on moving them, but, I am not sure that is realistic.
Any combined runner and chicken flocks here that can help me out?
I acquired 3 Indian Runner ducklings about a week and half ago. I'm estimating them at 2 weeks old. Right now I have them in their brooder, but I am wondering how to go about integrating them in with my backyard flock of 5 chickens. My chickens are a year old. They have their coop and a run with free range from sun up to sun down on my property. I am planning a separate coop for the ducks, but a shared run, and free range time from sun up to sun down. The run is where the chicken's have their food and water.
So....
How do I introduce the chickens to the ducklings so that it is not traumatic for anyone. At what age would you move them to the "duck coop"? I have read they are fully feathered at 8 weeks, that is when I am planning on moving them, but, I am not sure that is realistic.
Any combined runner and chicken flocks here that can help me out?