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Never owned a duck...is this a dumb idea?

post #1 of 9
4/4/12 at 10:53am
Thread Starter 

I have hens and we are building a nice huge run that will end up 20x27 feet, and 6 feet high. One half of the run is on top of concrete, and half is on grass.  Is it a really stupid idea to add a little pond in one corner on the concrete and add say 2 small ducks in with my hens?  Can hens and ducks live togehter without problems? In the winter I would have to give them a heated 16 gallon tub to swim in, so these two ducks would have to be small. 

 

If this will not work, it's no problem.  I just thought it would be very cute to have a little pond and a couple of ducks.  But I cannot build a separate duck pen so they would need to be in with my hens.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Do ducks go to roost at night?  Where do they sleep? Will they go inside the coop and sit on the floor in the shavings? 

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post #2 of 9
4/4/12 at 12:07pm

Ducks (mallard type) nest on the ground (there -are- perching ducks but not often as pets), in the shavings or in the secure run. my ducks and hens are together with a kiddy pool-

 

be careful if you hatch chicks or ducklings that they cannot drown in the pond.

 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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post #3 of 9
4/4/12 at 12:12pm

I am in the same boat and asking questions. I got snaffued into buying 2 pekin ducks from Tractors Supply. We have all hen pullets coming and I'm not sure ducks will mix with chickens well! They also bought a pond for the ducklings. I've heard ducks can be really messy and bossy with chickens. Also heard they try to mate with the chickens! I'm not sure about this. Hope we get some answers.

Throw caution to the wind when making choices in life. Use good common sense and sleep on your thoughts. If it still feels good in the morning. Go for it! John d. muldoon
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Throw caution to the wind when making choices in life. Use good common sense and sleep on your thoughts. If it still feels good in the morning. Go for it! John d. muldoon
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post #4 of 9
4/4/12 at 12:17pm

I have lots of ducks for each drake I have, haven't seen any drakes trying to mate the chickens, besides the roosters would have a problem with it.

 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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post #5 of 9
4/4/12 at 12:20pm

Questions!! Foretell. Will the ducks share the coop at night and in the winter months? My ducklings drink an amazing amount of water. Is a small pool type pond okay and does it get dirty really fast?

Throw caution to the wind when making choices in life. Use good common sense and sleep on your thoughts. If it still feels good in the morning. Go for it! John d. muldoon
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Throw caution to the wind when making choices in life. Use good common sense and sleep on your thoughts. If it still feels good in the morning. Go for it! John d. muldoon
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post #6 of 9
4/4/12 at 12:26pm

I'm in FL - not cold here, right now they are sleeping outside in the run.

 

The kiddy pool is dumped about every day and refilled.

 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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 Scientist and Tutor, expert at nothing, opinions on everything.

2012 Art Contest runs till Midnight EST Dec 31st 2012

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634433/2012-coloring-contest-rule-thread

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post #7 of 9
4/7/12 at 7:22pm

Here is what I was told about helping to prevent the drakes from 'wanting' the Hens... brood them separately then when they are bigger put them together. Of course I found this out... after they'd all been together for several weeks and were ready to go outside.... so ... we will see in a few months I guess. I lucked out and have 1 pekin drake and two pekin ducks (straight run ... the last 3 at the Marshall, TX TSC) and I had ordered a cayuga male and 3 girls (the male died at about a week old <sigh> but the girls are good... if not a bit flightier than the pekins) so that's 5 girls to one boy. I have at least 5 roos <most are going away> 3 not sures and 3 I think they goofed on my packing peanuts and gave me girls.)  at for certain a dozen hens (RIR's, 4 of what I THINK are blue andalusians <blue something anyway> and 2 buff somethings I hope orps)  I'll be posting picture of them in the what breeds later. <probably post the packing peanuts to see how far off I am on them)

I'm a Dog trainer... I do Dog Agility... then I got the crazy idea to try herding so I've gotten ducks and some chicks for eggs... and now I may end up doing shows with them too... yes... I have lost my mind.

Oh and did I mention I do vehicle decals (right now it's mostly dog designs) and lettering... and Tshirt's and coaster sets and decorative tiles... hey I've been out of a regular job...

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I'm a Dog trainer... I do Dog Agility... then I got the crazy idea to try herding so I've gotten ducks and some chicks for eggs... and now I may end up doing shows with them too... yes... I have lost my mind.

Oh and did I mention I do vehicle decals (right now it's mostly dog designs) and lettering... and Tshirt's and coaster sets and decorative tiles... hey I've been out of a regular job...

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post #8 of 9
4/7/12 at 7:35pm

 

Quote:
Here is what I was told about helping to prevent the drakes from 'wanting' the Hens... brood them separately then when they are bigger put them together.

In my personal experience that is not true.

My drake (recently re-homed) was brooded and raised separately from my chickens (and any chickens) and, when mating season rolled around he was actively trying to assault my chickens, drag them into the bushes & just brutalize them.

Sorry to rain on your parade.  It may be true in some cases, but I think some drakes are cut out for small flock life, and some are not.

 

I have 2 wonderful sons, 3 ducks (2 Anconas & 1 Buff), 4 laying hens, a Holland Lop bunny, and a big scaredy cat.  I am a Chef, Baker, Bluegrass "Musician" (I know, you can't do both) and artisan. 

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I have 2 wonderful sons, 3 ducks (2 Anconas & 1 Buff), 4 laying hens, a Holland Lop bunny, and a big scaredy cat.  I am a Chef, Baker, Bluegrass "Musician" (I know, you can't do both) and artisan. 

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post #9 of 9
4/7/12 at 9:03pm



i have had oposite problem my small (not quite banty not quite standard) rir roo is mounting my muscovy girls to the point we have to rehome him.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireTigeris View Post

I have lots of ducks for each drake I have, haven't seen any drakes trying to mate the chickens, besides the roosters would have a problem with it.



 

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