Chickens, Ducks, and Turkeys!

[Christin]

I will be raising 25 Light Brahma chicks, 10 Rouen ducklings, and 5 black Spanish turkey poults this spring! I was wondering if I would be able to feed them all turkey starter since the turkey poults require the most protein or would that make my other babies sick? Once they are big enough to go in the coop they will all be going into the same coop and run and I will be feeding them home grown feed next winter!


What has your experience been keeping chickens, ducks, and Turkeys in the same coop?

What would you have done differently if you could start over again?

What do you use for nests?

What problems have you had?

What were the solutions?

How big are your coops?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

It is not a good idea to keep all these species together in the same coop or even in the same area. Not only do they have different feed, space, water, nesting and roosting requirements, but some of these carry diseases that are lethal to the others. And some of them can even harm the others through size and mating issues. So you will do best with all of these species of poultry if you give them their own quarters.

But feel free to stop by the ducks and turkey sections to get help with these birds...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/20/turkeys

Enjoy this new poultry adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[Book Em Danno25]

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.

 

[CrazyChookz]

Hello and

! We would gladly help with any of your queries, so don't be afraid to ask!

What has your experience been keeping chickens, ducks, and Turkeys in the same coop?
I don't have experience with these birds in the same coop, but have kept chickens and turkeys before (however the turkeys were not for very long and I don't know much about them.)
What would you have done differently if you could start over again?
N/A (never kept chickens, ducks and turkeys in the same coop.)
What do you use for nests?
Nesting boxes or bedding, do you mean? I use dried straw for nesting boxes and pine chips for bedding (sometimes lucerne when pine chips are unavailable. Lucerne is good but expensive.)
What problems have you had?
I'd say mites and predators is a big problem with my area, but I am in Australia so not sure about your local pests.
What were the solutions?
Pestene dust/diatom and new fencing.
How big are your coops?
My coop is small, I've only been keeping small flocks for a few years (2-10 chickens).

Hope this was helpful!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. The first breed I ever had were Light Brahmas (about 50 years ago), and they were gentle giants. I'm a chicken person and don't know much about ducks or turkeys, but definitely post on our duck and turkey links that TwoCrows left with you, and take advantage of our duck and turkey experts there. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

 

[Christin]

Ty all!

 

[drumstick diva]

I've read that chickens can give turkeys Black Head disease, which you wouldn't want. On the other hand some people put baby turkeys with a chicken-chick to serve as a tutor. The chick will show them what to eat and where to get water etc. I guess next to turkeys chicks are pretty smart.