Adding ducks with chickens

[chicken boy 123]

I have 3 lovely chickens at the minute and I am going to add an indian runner duck with them in there coop and run, has anyone got any tips?

 

[siminsc]

That's what I have, too. 3 chickens and 2 runner ducklings. I'm getting them to know each other by having the chickens cage next to the box with a window cut in it that the ducklings are in. The chickens are 5 weeks old and the ducklings are 2 1/2 weeks old.

 

[Amiga]

From what I read here on the forum, water is a big difference between chickens and ducks. Their relationship to water, I mean.

Ducks need to be able to wash their heads and preferably their bodies, frequently. So that means a swim pan and deep water dish. Chickens, however, get disgusted at the way ducks add things to their water. Like food, and mud. And straw and grass.

Some have placed chicken waterers up higher.

Also ducks don't roost so they need a place where they will not be pooped on in the coop.

Drakes are not a good mix with hens as they may try to mate with them and seriously injure or kill the chicken, from what I have read here.

 

[chicken boy 123]

Thankyou