So this is completely opposite from everything that I read on the internet last night. Everything that I read said that they grow faster, so they don't need the starter crumbles as long. Once they start to get substantially larger than the chicks, you go ahead and temporarily separate them. Then you start them on chicken layer pellets. Nothing was mentioned about any supplements. I also read that Pekin ducks could be housed either with chickens or by themselves, that they imprint on their humans and don't seem to need the interaction of another duck. This is why the internet gets so confusing. Obviously, I'm going to trust you guys since you're in the trenches, but I don't understand why EVERYTHING else I've read said otherwise. I spent a good three hours last night looking stuff up.
And, I will have three chickens. I was thinking of raising them together so the duck would just think it was another chicken. If they started fighting, I would separate them... But if they do need different food, then it seems I'd have to separate them anyway.
And 10x5x6'H is too small for three chickens? It was marketed for 6-9. I know that doesn't mean anything, but it's the biggest one I could find and it seemed perfect for only three (or for three and possible a duck). I'm a little frustrated because I feel like I've done all this research and just wasted my time. I can't even find anything larger that doesn't have incredibly poor ratings. So what am I supposed to do since everything I thought I knew is wrong? Not trying to come across as snappy, but I'm just frustrated.
On duck is not a good idea unless you are planing on it being a house duck. Pekins are just like other ducks and NEED a buddy. If you are going to be that companion that is fine but you will need to be with your duck almost 24/7, ask @Amykins She has a house duck who is a companion (which we all love). But if you plan on your duck being with your chickens that is fine, but you don't want him or her to be alone. Ducks are not chickens and do have different needs such as water. You can raise them kinda together but ducks grow so much faster and can step on chicks or the chicks can peck and hurt the ducks with their beaks. If you haven't had either before I might suggest you get either chickens or ducks first then get the other later.
Ducks can have non medicated chick starter but do need more niacin than chicks so you will have to supplement or get an all flock feed. Brewers yeast is an easy way to add the needed niacin.
The actual coop is 10 ft by 5 ft? Ducks don't roost so they need more floor space than chickens around 6 sq ft per bird give or take depending on how much time they spend in the coop. Mine have less be there are never any days that they cannot or will not go out to free range my backyard. The more birds you have in a smaller area can cause healthy and behavior problems. Another book is Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. It's more of a farm approach but is very helpful.