Brooding Ducks + Chickens Together?

[Lanegrove]

Hi y'all!

I am completely new to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING backyard chickens. We are about to complete our set up, and my boyfriend began to wonder about ducks as well.

Can you raise ducklings with chicks? Do they have to be in separate sanctuaries?

 

[casportpony]

Hi y'all!

I am completely new to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING backyard chickens. We are about to complete our set up, and my boyfriend began to wonder about ducks as well.

Can you raise ducklings with chicks? Do they have to be in separate sanctuaries?

Welcome to BYC!

I will sometimes brood a small number of ducklings with chicks, but they do make such a mess that it really would be best to brood them separately.

 

[Lanegrove]

Welcome to BYC!

I will sometimes brood a small number of ducklings with chicks, but they do make such a mess that it really would be best to brood them separately.

How about when they're older? Is it best to have them separated then, or can they tolerate each other? LOL

 

[casportpony]

How about when they're older? Is it best to have them separated then, or can they tolerate each other? LOL

Mine free range together.

 

[TeeMom]

I wouldn't brood them together because of the mess as @casportpony suggested, but also because ducklings will outgrow chicks so quickly and soon tower over them possibly causing issues that way. I do house my adult chickens and ducks together, however and so far they have lived quite harmoniously. They do have unlimited free ranging every day allowing them to spread out at will, so really they only spend night times together and then intermingle and cross paths as they forage during the days. A different setup may garner less success and so a backup plan may be a good idea.

 

[PirateGirl]

I think you will find that things change when your birds (chickens and ducks both) hit sexual maturity. Depending on if they are males/females and how much space they have it may or may not continue to work with them all together.

 

[chickens really]

I. Keep them separated at all times..My Ducks hate my Chickens. Ducklings are to wet and dirty to Brood with Chicks.

 

[casportpony]

I wouldn't brood them together because of the mess as @casportpony suggested, but also because ducklings will outgrow chicks so quickly and soon tower over them possibly causing issues that way. I do house my adult chickens and ducks together, however and so far they have lived quite harmoniously. They do have unlimited free ranging every day allowing them to spread out at will, so really they only spend night times together and then intermingle and cross paths as they forage during the days. A different setup may garner less success and so a backup plan may be a good idea.