Ducklings and Chicks together?

[BooeyBird]

Hello, I am new to ducks and I just got 2 pekin ducklings a little less than a week ago. I also got 3 new baby chicks and I thought why not just put the ducklings and chicks together? In the beginning they were fine because the ducklings weren't much bigger, but now they have grown to twice the size they were. I guess ducklings grow much faster than chicks do! Also, the ducks started making a huge mess of their water and they were eating the pine bedding. I think I have come up with a solution, but I wanted to ask for any advice anyone might have? What I did was I moved them into an old bird cage that is big enough for them to live comfortably for a while, and it has a tray that can slide in and out for easy cleaning. I layed down an old towel on half of the side and on the food and water area I left it blank so the chicks don't get all wet like before (they were in a fish tank/terrerium). Do you think the cage bars will hurt their feet? Also, how long will it be before they outgrow this? Here is a picture:

 

[Jennn27]

This was me just a few weeks ago! I did the same thing as you. I had 8 chicks and 3 ducklings in one of those large brooders they have at Tractor Supply. Which worked great for a couple of weeks until the ducks figured out how to turn the water container over.

So I had to move the ducks to a kennel until the chicks were moved outside. Now the ducks have the brooder to themselves (for the last three weeks) and they are now ready to go out.

My point? What you have going now could work for a bit, but they do grow FAST! I would look into investing in a larger area to grow them out in, until they can go out. The chicks can go out much sooner (in my experience) than the ducks as long as they have an enclosed run and house/coop they can seek shelter in.

As for it hurting their feet, I really don't know. It may create problems if the housing as you have it is long-term, but it MAY be ok for a week or so. Again, I could be wrong about that part since I have always had them in flat-bottom housing.

Good luck to you! Ducks are messy little buggers!

 

[BooeyBird]

Usually when the chicks get too large for their brooder I move them into a dog kennel, but this is easier to clean. You are right, they are messy little buggers! Usually I move the chicks outside at 4-5 weeks into a little house, so can the ducks go out at this age also?

 

[Jennn27]

It all depends on the weather in your area. I put mine out a couple of days ago. They are 7 weeks and fully feathered. It's been staying in the upper 40's at night, so they don't need a heat lamp...just the coop with our chicks.

I, myself, would wait until about 6 weeks old. You'll know when they are ready to go out because they'll be jumping around and making all kinds of noise in their brooder!

 

[BooeyBird]

Ahh, well they already jump around and make noise, that's for sure, lol. I will probably put them out once they are around 5 or 6 weeks depending on the weather.

 

[Jennn27]

Sounds good. Good luck!

 

[BooeyBird]

Thanks!