Duck sharing a run with chickens?

[aliciaFarmer]

I will soon have three ducklings that will be six weeks younger than my (21) chicks. The chickens have a large chicken house and the ducks will have a smaller coop on the other side of their large run. There will be a separate smaller run for the ducks with their kiddie pool but would it be alright to let them intermingle, ducks and chickens, in the larger run during the day? Have any of you had luck with this? Or issues? I have not been a duck mama previously so this is new to me and I want to make sure I'm well educated.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

It might be easier since they are all young. My chickens are going on 2 and 3 yrs. I separated them with a temp welded wire fence, but it might remain permanent. The 8 week ducklings are being nippy and the chickens just aren't having it. Feathers were raised.

 

[TLWR]

Just keep an eye on them. I've had chickens not be fans of the ducks and ducks not be fans of chickens - one would chase the other. I currently have only 4 birds left, 2 ducks and 2 chickens and they all get along just fine and share a 25'x25' run when they are penned up for part of the day. If you have male ducks as adults, that could cause problems.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond -- I appreciate it. I'll see how it goes and if there's any of that going on, I'll make sure to have plenty of extra "just in case" welded wire fencing.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Just keep an eye on them. I've had chickens not be fans of the ducks and ducks not be fans of chickens - one would chase the other. I currently have only 4 birds left, 2 ducks and 2 chickens and they all get along just fine and share a 25'x25' run when they are penned up for part of the day. If you have male ducks as adults, that could cause problems.

I'll definitely keep an eye on them -- I know this is likely more of a case by case thing. Good call on males. Currently we have 100% girls, so I'll watch carefully if we add any fellas.