Can I keep Call Ducks with my Silkie hens?

[SweetLilChicken]

I was thinking about getting a few call ducks, as me and my mum fell in love with these cuties! But the problem is that there is no were else to put them but the silkies pen

. Will they be ok together? I mean, my Henrietta always wanted to be a mother so she could adopt them? Although Henrietta can get a bit feisty and Ollie can get a bit frightened...
There is plenty space for them for a pool and stuff, Im not worried about that.

thanks!
Phoebe

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

My friend has her ducks and chickens together and she has silkies and call ducks . . . .as long as everyone is fairly nice. . . . the silkies usually mind their own

 

[SweetLilChicken]

ok, how is it if my oldest hen would take care of some ducklings, would that be ok?

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

Yea . . . just dont let them swim. . . my grandpa had a silkie hatch out geese and they kept jumping in the creek and she went nuts trying to get them out . . . and the ducklings wont have their essential oils either.. . . I would also set some dummy eggs under her at least a few days before you get the ducks. . . if you can do it a few weeks before

 

[SweetLilChicken]

K then, but what do you mean the duckling wont get their essential oils?

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

when a duckling is raised by its mother she oils them down to make them "waterproof" This way they float and dont get cold. . . If you take them swimming just make sure they are dry soon or they will become chilled, either towel dry them or hair dryer, until they have feathers on their belly and most of their back

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

Sorry . . . that sounded like they needed essential oils in their diet :/

 

[SweetLilChicken]

Yeah LOL!
ok, but can I get the duckling at an age were they already got their essential oils? Or do they even have to swim? I know they are ducks and all but some people around us have ducks with nothing for them to swim in??! It sounds a bit weird... and if they had to learn to swim I don't think that my silkie would want to get her feathers wet :/

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

They dont have to swim but its nice for them and fun to watch, they dont have to be taught, it comes natural. You can get ducks at pretty much any age but you should be fine with ducklings and a foster silkie momma

 

[SweetLilChicken]

ok cheers