Considering adding ducks, but have some questions

[SkenderLake]

We have had chickens for a year and got so much info from this site, so I knew this is the place to go for a little info on ducks. We currently have 6 hens and we'll be getting more chicks in a week. It got me thinking about adding ducks to the mix.

1. My understanding is that ducks and chickens can co-habitate. True?

2. Our set up is this: We have a coop and a small run (8x8) and let them free-range most of the time. We have a lake that's about 30 feet from the coop/run that I think would be perfect for a few ducks. It's a large private lake (13 acres) with a pretty steep bank down to the lake. I know people build little duck ponds. Is there any reason a big lake wouldn't be ideal for them? I realize it wouldn't be real safe for them as youngsters with some of the predators around (even bass would probably snag a duckling).

3. With something as big as our lake, would the ducks still naturally return at the end of the day like our chickens do? (Probably some stupid questions, sorry)

Any answers/tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sophieoneill]

Hi there, yes most ducks and chickens can happily live together..although drakes from larger breeds of ducks may harm hens during the mating season..but most female ducks and hens will get along just fine I would also recommend purchasing a large breed of duck as there is a greater chance that they will not wander off because they are too heavy to fly..I have bantam, light and heavy duck breeds that free range on a stream and lake by day and return by evening to feed again..so your ducks should eventually get into a routine of returning at dusk..hope that helps

 

[SkenderLake]

Thank you for your response. How old were they when you started letting them free-range? I'm also nervous about winters. If next winter is anything like this winter in the midwest, the coop situation could get hairy. Our chickens refused to go outside for nearly 3 months.

 

[sophieoneill]

Glad to be of any help...well some of my ducklings were hatched out naturally under the mother duck and they free-ranged from day 1...while others I hatched out myself in an incubator and they just seemed to mix in with the flock after about a week or so..and I have also added adult ducks to my flock, breeds that were quite capable of flying, so I clipped their wing so they had to stay on land and they too also eventually mingled in with the rest of the flock!! Aw I see about the coop scenario..but you know what ducks won't really mind the weather, even when it snows here they just waddle out in it, feed and then go straight down on the stream...and if worse come to worse and they will not budge out of their coop you might just have to extend or build/buy a new coop for the ducks for the harsh winter months..I would nearly even recommend having a coop separate for the ducks anyway as they are quite messy compared to chickens

 

[nayeli]

There are quiet a few duck breeds that can't fly. You might consider them. Also if you raise ducks from ducklings and interact they will trust you and more than likely become attached so they won't wander too far.

 

[lilearthquake]

I free range my ducks on a mini golf course lake and put them up every night. It's fun and quite relaxing to watch them on the lake during the day. Pekin and Swedish Blues, both larger, flightless breeds. I'll try to make some quick points of what I've learned.

-Raised 6 ducklings from 1 wk old, everything eats ducklings so they did not go in lake til 3 mos and even then I supervised them on quick swims. Easy when they imprint on you and follow you everywhere. I had a turtle grab one's toe and try to drag it under. I slapped the water with my arms and it let go. Waiting until they were fully feathered would have been best. Lesson learned.

-Bought a low chicken coop so ducks could walk into it easier. See image on my profile page. Locate it near a corner so they don't get too confused if you want them to go in it or around it. Walk behind them slowly with your arm/arms out (so they can see you) and you can guide their direction.

-Ducks like routine! I use same calls and wear same boots, hat, jacket around them. At dusk I call "Come Duck!". When they come into my fence I feed them & offer special treats & water them. Then I say "Bed Duck" and guide them in the coop with my arms. Sometimes they just do it when I ask.

-My winter in the south isn't as harsh as yours, but have had more ice & snow than usual this year. Ducks don't seem to mind it as long as they can get in the water. Mine don't like sliding on snow or ice.

-Experience: One night they refused to come in; they were having such a great time & just reaching sexual maturity; fox got one. They have not done that again, but they have been spooked after a storm. Debris in water and they seemed confused and too lost or scared to come in. Calling them with a mallard duck call got them home.

-My ducks were a rescue so I didn't "choose" sex. Have 1 female with 3 drakes is not a good mix and has caused problems. I am trying to adopt 1 or 2 more females right now to ease the tensions.

My guess is that you have good instincts and preparation because you already have chickens. Ducks can make me smile when I've had the worst day. I love the way they look at me and paddle around. And they're nothing but grace in the water! Good luck!

 

[nayeli]

We don't already have chickens, I'm thinking of getting silkies though.

 

[lilearthquake]

Hi Nayeli, I thought I was replying to SkenderLake. I am very new this forum.

 

[nayeli]

@lilearthquake I thought I was on a different forum hehe, you were! =)
I made two forums to ask about my new ducks.