Chicks and ducks

[coyote69]

Can I raise my baby ducks with my baby chicks they seem to get along good

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
Sure you can. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they stay getting along nicely.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

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

Yes, you certainly can. Just remember ducks need water to splash in, which chickens will not want to partake in

 

[coyote69]

Thank you very much, they seem to be getting along fine, I just wanted to make sure that it would be OK

 

[PirateGirl]

I think it can be done. I would do a few things to make life easier. I would make a no-mess waterer for them to all use so the ducklings can dunk their heads and everyone can drink, but they can't empty the water completely and destroy the brooder. I would feed them based on the needs of the ducklings and the chicks should do just fine on that diet too. Also, which you have probably already done, is to be sure you have heat in one area and a cooler area. Ducklings grow much faster than chicks and ultimately won't need as much heat so it will be important that they can get out from under the heat while the chicks can still get in the warmth. I think raised together from the beginning you've got a much better chance that all will get along, just keep an eye on them especially when they all hit 4-6 months and hormones start changing. Have fun!

 

[aart]

I think it can be done. I would do a few things to make life easier......all hit 4-6 months and hormones start changing.

Great synopsis in your post @PirateGirl !
Do male ducks get sexually active before females, like with chickens?

 

[PirateGirl]

Great synopsis in your post @PirateGirl !
Do male ducks get sexually active before females, like with chickens?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I've never owned a cockerel and I got my drake as a 2 year old so he was already mature

 

[lomine]

As already mentioned it can be done you just need to have a plan for the water needs and extra mess that comes with ducklings. You probably already have a good idea of that by now.

I've raised ducklings directly with chicks and have raised them by themselves but still among the flock (I brood in the coop). The ducklings raised right with the chicks became more attached to the chickens as they all matured and spent more time free ranging and resting together. I butchered the drakes in that group before they became sexually mature so I don't know if they would have shown interest in the chicken pullets. The drakes raised among the flock but not with chicks get along with the chickens but show no signs of interest in the chickens.

 

[Alaskan]

The main reason that I do NOT raise my ducklings with my chicks...

Is that drakes can easily kill a hen if the drake tries to mate the hen.

If the ducklings are raised with the chicks they get confused as to what is what.

My ducklings are never raised with my chicks... and as a result everyone gets along fine even when I put the adults in the same pen.