Different Chickens Together ???

[waterguy81]

I currently have Rhode Island Reds (chicks) and am thinking of getting some White Rocks later and / or Pekin Ducks.
Would they get along ? How do I need to seperate them ? Does anyone have advice in this area ?

Additional info, I plan to use the birds for dual purpose (meat and eggs) and the ducks as well but also as yard friends.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ChickenGirl3]

They will get long but If you decide that you will get them a little older they will peck each other, but you can get more chicks and they WILL get along

!

 

[tiffanya]

I enjoy the looks of different breeds in a flock. All of mine are relatively the same size so I'm not sure if size differences would matter much. I have hear that you should not have one that looks different from all the rest (i.e. All RIR and one White Rock). With a wide variety though, I've had no problems.

 

[miraclz5]

From what I have read, age difference is more of a factor than size difference, especially when they are young...should not put chicks together if there is more than a month difference in age or the youngest ones are less than a week old. I have a friend who has bantam chicks and full size chicks in the same brooder....they fit the age factor and she has no problems. I was also told by the breeder we got chicks from to just watch for pecking.

I have also read that chickens and ducks can be put together....the resounding warnings I have heard/read....ducks are SUPER messy!

Good Luck

 

[catdaddy66]

I have raised 3 separate flocks and got 4-6 different breeds each time. They had absolutely no problem getting along and thrived together. I have never attempted trying to integrate different flocks as they always have stress and anxiety that usually leads to confrontation and/or violence. This can be accomplished but usually takes weeks or months for all to feel comfortable with each other. As far as different species, I have no experience on that front, though many BYC'ers do just that and could help you out with more wisdom than I!!

 

[gryeyes]

Oh my goodness. I have a bunch o' chickens of all breeds and all sizes and ages. Plus a Cayuga drake. (Had a pair, but a predator took the duck as she was brooding on a hidden nest.) All get along just fine, but everybody ranges freely on an acre. (They only use about 1/2 of the total property, for the most part.)

There are NO silkies or polish chickens in my flock. Or Turkens. Just regularly shaped birds. LOL! But I have HUGE Jersey Giants and several itty bitty bantam Sebrights, and a slew of others in sizes between those extremes.

With plenty of space, they get along well.