Ducklings with chicks- yikes!

[LynnetteGCB]

I decided to grab 3 ducklings along with 4 chicks this Friday. After some reading, most people said it was fine to keep them together. As we know, the ducklings are more than willing to get their feet wet in the waterer which is fine, I can change the water, no biggie. WELL, the ducklings also really enjoy accidentally trampling the chicks with their horribly wet feet after I did some observing after one of the chicks mysteriously was soaking wet and looking just awful. After doing some further and much, much deeper reading (although I couldn’t find a whole lot) it is definitely advised to keep them separated for this reason. The chick has now passed and I just feel horrible because I didn’t realize that the ducklings have some accidental-homicidal-tendencies. Anyways, I’ve now divided them. Boooooo!

 

[Buckingham Palace]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[citymeetscountry]

I decided to grab 3 ducklings along with 4 chicks this Friday. After some reading, most people said it was fine to keep them together. As we know, the ducklings are more than willing to get their feet wet in the waterer which is fine, I can change the water, no biggie. WELL, the ducklings also really enjoy accidentally trampling the chicks with their horribly wet feet after I did some observing after one of the chicks mysteriously was soaking wet and looking just awful. After doing some further and much, much deeper reading (although I couldn’t find a whole lot) it is definitely advised to keep them separated for this reason. The chick has now passed and I just feel horrible because I didn’t realize that the ducklings have some accidental-homicidal-tendencies. Anyways, I’ve now divided them. Boooooo!

Also if you haven’t already, make sure you’re giving the ducklings duck specific feed or supplementing so they get enough niacin. I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Chicks don't like to be wet and can chill and die.
Ducks don't like to be dry and get wet any and all chances they get.

Chicks and Ducklings should never brood together, ever.

 

[LynnetteGCB]

Chicks don't like to be wet and can chill and die.
Ducks don't like to be dry and get wet any and all chances they get.

Chicks and Ducklings should never brood together, ever.

I know that now, unfortunately, from the hard way. In all the articles I read they didn’t mention anything about this so I didn’t even think anything of it. I guess I just didn’t dive deep enough for the full scope initially.

 

[Lor]

I remember how wet and messy ducklings can be.
Sorry to hear you lost a chick.

 

[My2butterflies]

I’m sorry the early info you read misinformed you.
I see this way too much on Facebook. People all excited to bring home land and water fowl only to put them in the same small brooder And we all know how it goes from there…
Unfortunately, they get more people telling them it’s fine then they do telling them it’s a bad idea. Ugh.