Ahh, Having second thought about getting Ducks!!

[ksmith]

I have 4 chicks that are about a week or two old, and they are in a large brooder. I really want 2 ducklings, but everybody says they are too messy to mix with chicks. The Khaki Campbell ducklings are going to be in this week at my feed store. I am not so sure I want them now. I mean I want them because they are cute, give me duck eggs, and are very fun to watch, but everyone says they are way too messy, and shouldn't be mixed in the same brooder with chicks. This means I would need to get another heat lamp, waterer and feeder. Here is a picture of my brooder what do you think? Can you convince me to still get ducklings?

 

[70%cocoa]

Your brooder is big. Divide it in two with a mesh fence (hardware cloth) down the middle with the single large heat lamp right over the middle of the mesh and up one end of the brooder. The lamp should be good enough for both sides. You could even have a gap in the bottom of the mesh to allow the feeder to service both sides - have half in each side of the brooder. Then you'd just need one new waterer.

Ducks are wonderful. Don't spend your whole life without them!

Two ducklings/ducks will be quite manageable.

 

[Duck Mad]

if you did really want ducks... can't you let the chicks grow up first ... then get ducklings so they are not in at the same time? Ducks do make a mess with food and water, and regular cleaning is needed .... you have to think about do you mind cleaning them out more often?

Personally I loved my ducklings that much, that I enjoyed looking after them in every way.. My opinion is... If you enjoy it, it wont be a problem

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

I would not brood them together but if you are only getting a small amount of ducklings I bet you could divide that brooder in half and raise them in it. I may be the wrong person to ask as I have three brooders going at the moment

One with ducks, one with chicks that are older and one with new born chicks... And I am thinking of taking the bantams out of the one brooder as I think that they are getting picked on... May have to get one more going!