Can I mix ducks and chicks?

[ritzzy]

Since I have 3, two day old chicks in the brooder box, and am now expecting some newborns in the next couple days, and then 7 ducklings after that, can I put ALL the babies together? Even the (7 day old chicks by then) with the newborn ducklings? Or do i need a separate brooder?

Sorry for all the questions, but just want to get it right!

 

[Julie08]

yes you can ducks are piglets and will need to be cleaned out daily but they can go together, obviously keep an eye and make sure everyone is getting along.

 

[lizareny]

I've done this twice with no problems from chicks and ducklings messing with each other BUT! LOL...within the week I had separated them cuz of the ducks! Grrr, water hogs, they just play and play in it, make giant puddles and messes. It's very cute, but was easier on me to split them up.

 

[ritzzy]

I remember my ducklings being water hogs! They were just adorable but it was a ton of work! I would put them in a small pool of warm water and they would just swim for hours! Could barely get them out.

Oh boy, this is getting me excited about my ducklings!! Happy dance....

 

[sunket77]

This is a good question! I am hoping to have duckies soon! they are due to hatch next week

I was wondering do you guys use the shavings for ducks also? or is there an easier bedding to deal with the mess?

 

[karl E lutz]

I have my ducks sepparated because of the mess, Now they are in a pen that access's my pond and there is a goose that has adopted them. Wild giant canadian and she is everfaithful and frightening.

 

[redturtle]

DH and i had ours together....we will never do it again

the ducks make a huge mess w/ the water....i was completely cleaning out the brooder every other day...too much work...too much for the compost pile to handle all @ once also

they all got along until about 2 weeks ago when the ducks outgrew the chicks in size....they were roughly about the same age...give or take a few days....had bantys in w/ them also...like i said...no problems getting along in the beginning

ETA: once we put the ducks in an outside pen by themselves the chix became much friendlier also...didnt run everytime we opened the door....the ducks wigged out and the chix followed...lol

 

[lizareny]

Honestly, for bedding for ducks I used newspaper. Layers and layers and LAYERS of it, not shredded, just the full sheet.....3-4x a day I'd peel the top layer off, wad it up and throw it away. Worked great for me.

 

[Julie08]

I cant seperate mine now the chickens think they are ducks and cry like crazy if they are not together, but I agree it is a ton of work

 

[CindyS]

You have 6 to 7 days before the mess starts, so put them together now and get another brooder ready!