6 month old chickens attacking ducklings

[Amywhite]

Hi all,

2 weeks ago I brought home 2 chickens, which are approximately 6 months old, and 2 ducklings which were 4 days old. The chickens live in a coop outside, and the ducklings currently live inside.

Neither of the chickens have started laying yet, but enjoy coming over when I go outside. One chicken is far more friendly than the other, and will happily let you pick her up, whereas the other one is almost impossible to catch, but once you catch her she is happy to be stroked .

Whilst slowly introducing the ducklings to the garden and the pond, the chickens came running over and tried to peck the ducklings. Similarly, my dog is now borderline scared of the chickens as they have tried to attack him on several occasions.

My hope in the long term was for them all to live in the same coop, in the same garden. Is this normal chicken behavior, or will they not bond?

Thanks in advance .

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Your chickens are nearly adults, and the ducklings are babies, not theirs. You've been lucky that the chickens haven't killed them! Depending on your coop and run setup (post pictures!) it can be very difficult for these species to live together. Ducks make a wet mess, and need the deep water dishes, while chickens do not tolerate wet conditions/ bedding.
Have the ducklings in their brooder, and have them in separate housing. they might all free range politely with each other later, after the ducklings can be out there, fenced off for a while, but in contact.
Mary

 

[Amywhite]

Thank you so much for your reply! When I was sold these, I was told that ducks are far more dominant, so it's best to get adult chickens and ducklings. I'm shocked that my little duckies could have been killed!

Please see below pictures of the set up. Chickens have free roam of the garden, and the ducklings live inside our house for now under a heat lamp .

I put the ducklings in the garden for an hour a day so they can have a run around and a swim. The dog comes out too as he loves them (they follow him round the garden). The chickens seemed fine with them at first, it's only in the last few days that they have started attacking the ducklings and the dog .

Thank you for your help!

Welcome! Your chickens are nearly adults, and the ducklings are babies, not theirs. You've been lucky that the chickens haven't killed them! Depending on your coop and run setup (post pictures!) it can be very difficult for these species to live together. Ducks make a met mess, and need the deep water dishes, while chickens do not tolerate wet conditions/ bedding.
Have the ducklings in their brooder, and have them in separate housing. they might all free range politely with each other later, after the ducklings can be out there, fenced off for a while, but in contact.
Mary

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

The chickens seemed fine with them at first, it's only in the last few days that they have started attacking the ducklings and the dog .

It could be that the pullets are near to laying, they can get testy when those hormones start to flow. Having someplace that the ducklings can get to 'safety' where the chickens can't get would help, some fencing with just the right sized mesh holes around the corner with their pool could work well.

BTW that coop is not big enough for 2 chickens and 2 ducks...ducks might need a separate coop.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

Tho not specific to chickens and ducks, these tips on integration still apply....
Integration Basics:

It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.