I have Pekins and my chickens all living together for a year now...no problems what so ever. The ducks will prefer to be outside about 98% of the time. They generally only come in the coop when its been super hot outside, but I provide shade for them outside so even that rarely happens, its only been on the hottest days of the year and because the coop was cooler. And they lay in the nesting boxes I have on the coop floor about the same percentage as they lay outside. I have no idea how she fits in the box either!!!
They are a little messy so unless your yard is large if it is enclosed, be prepared for that. If you have several, They will get their water everywhere - when they are younger this is worse and their poo of course is MUCH bigger so more cleanup! As they get older the water situation isnt as bad. I use the water hose to let them play in it in the summer or the sprinkler so I actually add to the muddy mess - but they LOVE it!
Mine all get along wonderfully. The chickens know the ducks rule the roost..its just the way of things since they were born. They were all raised as babies together tho, so no experience if I had bought them at diff ages. THAT I will find out when I hatch my duck eggs this spring. But I am making a separate duck enclosed yard and housing only for the fact that I want them to have more room for just themselves. AND they CAN NOT eat MEDICATED CHIC FEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They can be given antibiotics but at TOTALLY diff dosages!!!!!!!! You can easily over dose them! I've heard they are excellent moms to hatch chicks also!
Housing is easy, the little house that was posted is great!!!!!!! They are so much more naturally insulated than chickens even! And mine prefer being out in a snow storm or a thunderstorm even than I care for! In tornado weather I ran them around the yard to catch them to put them in the coop and it was more unsafe for me than them...they naturally know where in the yard its safe for them to hunker down at! I still worry. I love my ducks...I worry about my livestock then too tho more than myself. But horses are easy to train to come when I call...ducks not as much when they know what to do!
They are easy to keep...they know what to do, just listen to them, sometimes they know best. They cant have seeds or bread. And best on duck feed than chicken feed, but they can and do well on layer feed!
You'll totally love them and find they will bring you SO much enjoyment.
Your
TSC guy was exaggerating..they swim around a pool playing, but mine never run around the yard causing a ruckus....making messes! They will drink from the chicken waterer, but whoever posted they like a pail, is totally correct and if they can stand in it...they totally will!!!!! They get their water dirty so its got to be changed often.
Mallards however...if you dont have cover over your yard will fly out and a HUGE possibility they WONT come back. Doesnt matter the season. I wouldnt chance it. I free range my chickens, but they have a separate yard that is covered and when I had my mallards I was SO thankful cause there was no way I could let them out, they are excellent fliers and just havent been a domesticated breed long enough to chance it. But if they have bonded with another breed and brought up with them..you do have a chance of them sticking around. But dont be disappointed if they leave. Wow are Mallards so much smarter than Pekins....just throwing that in there. They learn so much faster and Pekins follow their direction!
hope that helps. I did a lot of research before I got mine and talked to A LOT of people here on BYC and a duck breeder locally who has bred ducks of all kinds for YEARS and he has helped me out tremendously. So hope this helps out too.
Good luck...you'll love your ducks and they will give you SO much enjoyment! Handle them often and they will LOVE you and LOVE the affection in return! Just do it often!!!
I cant wait to hatch my babies in the spring and get a couple more breeds! Looking forward to getting some black Cayuga ducks!
