Anyone know of a hatchery where I can buy ducks and chickens together on one order?

[BirchMeadow]

Will do.

Thanks again!

 

[imdamama]

Hey Birch,

I wanted to share my experience with starting a small flock with just a couple of each, which I did early Thursday morning with a call from the post office! I've never "raised" chickens or ducks before, although I've been around both. Which is why we decided to start small.

We got 3 ducks and a few chickens (they rode with that bad storm and most of our chicks didn't make it, last lone hardy survivor passed this morning). But I believe that was isolated bad timing.

The differences in chicken and duck behaviors are HUGE! With ducks, in the first couple hours you have to make sure they don't water log by rotating their water 15-on 15-off and ducks *have* to have water with their food. Those were the two biggest out of the box differences. (Also ensuring that the food is compatible and adequate for both.) I had to learn two different "languages" right off the bat. My ducks went through water, and produced poop, like crazy. The chickens...well, they aren't ducks...but I found myself second-guessing trying to take care of two sets of babies at once. Warmth was another issue. My ducks didn't need it quite so warm, which was easy to fix, but again I found myself second-guessing if I was doing the right thing.

Anyway, my point is just this... If I had it to do over again, I would do one species at a time. Enjoy those critters, meet their needs, learn their language. Then, I'd get the other species. And I really agree with the other posters who talked about trying to buy locally.

Good luck in your new endeavor! =)

 

[duckins]

Did your chicks and ducklings pass or just the chicks?

 

[imdamama]

Did your chicks and ducklings pass or just the chicks?

Duckins, Just the chicks. They arrived in bad shape (most were dead). Really thought the last little guy, Kobe, was gonna make it. He was well, eating, drinking, pooping, good respiration. Purred when you held him. But really disliked being alone. DD put a rolled up sock in with him, that helped.

The ducks, on the other hand, arrived well. One was more listless than the others. But they all seem to be doing relatively well. I'm thinking their lower warmth requirement may have been the saving grace during travel.

 

[duckins]

Sorry to here about chicks hope your ducklings continue to do well, any advice for the listless 1 I ask bc I had one arrive that way and she passed w/ in 2 days other 4 doing fine.

 

[imdamama]

Duckins, so sorry for your loss. It's so hard, we want so much to do our best for them. I was concerned about the (relatively) listless one. His respiration rate was higher than the others early on. But other than making sure he had plenty of warmth, keeping everything clean and dry (and you know that's a joke with ducklings), I haven't done much. I think the other two ducks are on the (hyper)active end, so the third one just appears less active. This has been quite a learning experience. Here's hoping our little flocks live long, healthy, happy lives! =)