Adding ducklings to a flock of 2 year old hens

[MizAmberLea]

G’morning!!!

So we have had our new adopted chickens- ten Rhode Island Red hens and one rooster, for a week now. They are all a little over two years old, and doing fine.
We have a huge coop and run-and a smaller coop and run within it for our new ducks (that are on order, yet to arrive).
Any tips, do’s and don’t’s, etc. that y’all can offer me about integrating our flock? I know it is way easier when they are all youngsters at the same time... but that’s not going to happen now that we were so fortunate to adopt fully grown chooks.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PirateGirl]

Depending on the ducks and depending on your existing flock, I advise that you be prepared for the possibility that they may never be able to live peacefully together. Have a backup plan for providing completely separate housing and run space (or free range time). Female ducks and female chickens are more likely able to live peacefully together. A drake and/or rooster are bigger unknowns. My chickens and ducks are housed within eyesight of each other, but separate, and I do have a particular hen that gets wound up about the ducks from time to time, so their distinct personalities are probably the biggest factor. Take it slow. Once you are beyond quarantine, see but no touch would be a good place to start. Definitely wait until they are close to the same size before allowing any physical interaction.

 

[CarleeAnn]

Sounds like you may already have it sectioned off? If so, keep this set up. If you want them to free range together I would recommend only to do this under supervision.

I would say also to wait till after Spring (which you would do anyways because of their age) just for extra security so no one is really hormonal.

The big concern is if you end up with a Drake- they are very aggressive breeders and chickens have very different production organs than ducks so it is dangerous to allow this.

But also, ducks will muck up your chicken coop/run and than is no fun! You will have very upset chickens.

Best of luck!!

 

[MizAmberLea]

Thanks, y’all!

 

[MizAmberLea]

So I finally found some Saxonies for sale. They won’t ship until mid April, which is fine, and I’m thinking I want two males and six females to add to our farm. What do y’all think, good ratio? I’ve already got 3 females and 1 male Cayugas on the way from a local supplier... I’m ordering more Saxonies due to their limited availability and difficulty locating them locally...


Unfortunately for me, my original flock of ten hens and one rooster was slaughtered. I’m devestated, and this weekend we are spending our daylight hours repairing our run and securing it to the max. However-now all of our new additions will be close to the same age.
I guess my original question that I posted is still the same with a little twist-having ducklings and chicks together... Any advice?

 

[CarleeAnn]

So I finally found some Saxonies for sale. They won’t ship until mid April, which is fine, and I’m thinking I want two males and six females to add to our farm. What do y’all think, good ratio? I’ve already got 3 females and 1 male Cayugas on the way from a local supplier... I’m ordering more Saxonies due to their limited availability and difficulty locating them locally...


Unfortunately for me, my original flock of ten hens and one rooster was slaughtered. I’m devestated, and this weekend we are spending our daylight hours repairing our run and securing it to the max. However-now all of our new additions will be close to the same age.
I guess my original question that I posted is still the same with a little twist-having ducklings and chicks together... Any advice?

I think that will be an appropriate ratio. During breeding season you may want to divide them in half so the males don’t get aggressive towards each other but that doesn’t always happen.