1 week old ducks with 3 week old chicks???

[A.M. Eggs]

Hey there! I am thinking about adding some ducks into my flock this year. I just got 33 chicks in the mail 2 1/2 weeks ago and was wondering if I can put 1 week old ducks in with these chicks. Is it safe or should I raise them separately? I saw online that ducks that are the same age could crush the chicks. Thanks for your responses!

 

[springvalley123]

The ducks grow much faster than the chicks. They start out slightly bigger, given the size of the egg. But at 7 days old the duck has doubled its hatch size. at 14 days old it's 6 times its hatch size. at 21 days old it's 12 times its hatch size. The chicks at 2 1/2 weeks are just over double their hatch size, and will gain at most 40% in a given week. The ducklings are less mobile than chicks, however, maybe if you had to, you could use even a foot high or 18 inch high chicken wire to barricade the ducklings from the chicks, depending on what type you got.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

But can they be with them or do they HAVE to be separated?

 

[HenHouse4Life]

But can they be with them or do they HAVE to be separated?

That's totally up to each person. Keep in mind tho as stated above that because ducklings grow so quickly they can easily trample and injure a chick. I have both chickens and ducks and have never brooded or kept them together. It just isn't worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

So don't put chicks and ducks together. Check.

 

[BullChick]

Same age. The duckling pair acted as broodies. It was crazy. And adorable!! The ducklings never swam when they were with the chicks.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Wow they grow fast! And they are super cute!

 

[aggiemae]

We add 2 newly hatched ducks to the 5-7 day old chicks our broody is sitting. The hen is a bit confused, but the chicks and the ducklings are getting on great. I should has said that the ducklings are Appleyard Bantams. They are about 3 pounds full grown.

I'm thinking that Yellow, who is now puffed up to twice her normal size, won't be able to sit on all eight of them for much longer...

 

[A.M. Eggs]

So it's a risky situation to put ducks with chicks, but can older shicks be with younger ducks just fine?

 

[aggiemae]

Same age. The duckling pair acted as broodies. It was crazy. And adorable!! The ducklings never swam when they were with the chicks.

what kind of dog is that?