Farming4Family
In the Brooder
I was given two laying hens, a few months shy of the 2 year mark. I recently moved them outside, using an old shed as their coop. I think it's about 10'x12', and they roost in the rafters even though I provided lower roosting bars. I have four ducks (5 weeks old) brooding in a corner of our sun room. I also have six chicks (2 weeks old) brooding inside. I've been collecting pallets, fence panels, and other recycled lumber, to use on another 10'x12' area for a run that will be connected to the shed.
If breeds change anything, the ducks were supposedly Pekins, but I'm starting to think only two are Pekin and the other two might be Blue Swedish, as they're smaller and starting to get dark heads, brown "masks" and brown feathers in the wings and tails. The Pekins are easily double the size of the suspected Swedish, and they were all purchased (and supposedly hatched) on the same day. The chicks are 3 RI Reds and 3 Barred Rocks, and the Barred Rocks are a good deal bigger than the RI Reds. Not double, but maybe 50% larger.
My questions are these:
1.) Is the coop/run space sufficient for all 12 birds, or do I need to think bigger?
2.) At what age(s) should I integrate the ducks/chicks in with the laying hens?
3.) I have a kiddy pool for the ducks to swim in, but should I have it outside of the shared run to protect the chickens?
If breeds change anything, the ducks were supposedly Pekins, but I'm starting to think only two are Pekin and the other two might be Blue Swedish, as they're smaller and starting to get dark heads, brown "masks" and brown feathers in the wings and tails. The Pekins are easily double the size of the suspected Swedish, and they were all purchased (and supposedly hatched) on the same day. The chicks are 3 RI Reds and 3 Barred Rocks, and the Barred Rocks are a good deal bigger than the RI Reds. Not double, but maybe 50% larger.
My questions are these:
1.) Is the coop/run space sufficient for all 12 birds, or do I need to think bigger?
2.) At what age(s) should I integrate the ducks/chicks in with the laying hens?
3.) I have a kiddy pool for the ducks to swim in, but should I have it outside of the shared run to protect the chickens?
