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Now, you have just gived me some new ideas
. Do you have ducks? Do they get along well with chickens? I was actually thinking to add two ducks in the group and make a little "pond" for them, and I know exactly the right spot for it. I am whirring for power the run and I'm bringing a water faucet in there as well (it will make it so much easier for me to have it there, I have already contacted a contractor for that)
I don't know anything about ducks. Could you tell me what is their sleeping preferences? as far as a coop or a house. Can you suggest any particular breed of ducks that will go well with a small back yard chicken group? How loud are they? Are they smart, like some chickens?
If I do decide to get some ducks, they will have access to the outside creek (when I'm outside).
With all the big run my chickens have, they are
the most happy when they can run around my yard. I actually let them out at least once a day (usually in the morning) when I'm outside. I usually drink my coffee every morning with my chickens. For me its so relaxing to watch them running around. It just makes me so happy to see them....happy.
Thank you, Arianna
Hi Arianna,
Yes, I have ducks: Welsh Harlequin, Golden 300 hybrid, cayuga, chocolate runner & blueheaded australian spotted bantams.
I have the ducks separate from the chickens, in fact the big ducks are separate from the bantam ducks as well. However, all the "big" girls (both chickens and ducks) are occasionally allowed to free range in the back yard at the same time (that's where the grass is). The ducks always chase the chickens away from choice spots (mainly under the bird feeder which they ALL think is THEIR territory) but basically they leave each other alone as long as the chickens keep out of the ducks personal space
.
I have different housing set ups for my two duck flocks. The bantams have an above ground (18" in some sections cuz it's on sloping ground) run/house that is 4' x 16' long. The "house" section is only 4' x 2' and the rest is the run which has a wire floor.
The big ducks have a 10' x 17' run which has an above ground "pool"
(see link to my thread here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=405350&p=1 ).
You certainly don't have to go as complicated as these two are or even your own chickens area but I would advise fencing off an area (preferably with the creek in it) that would keep ducks safe from predators especially at night. I always lock up all the animals at night no exceptions.
Will keep following this thread so be sure to update it from time to time, you know how much we LOVE pictures