Ducks and chicken? Do they get along?

[jencrom]

I have had backyard chicken for 6 years now and have been offered a few ducks. I have a few concerns. Are they noisier than hens? I don’t want to annoy my neighbors. Will they get along with my flock? I have always introduced new chicks slowly, I’m assuming this will work with ducks? Will they go into the coop at night? We have a fair amount of night predators and don’t want them harmed. Will they be content with a kiddie pool or do they need more? I’m only considering taking on one or two. I don’t want to get in over my head.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I've never had problems with them getting along but... ducks can be loud and kinda messy. I had a separate duck house for night time, because my ducks never seemed to like sleeping with the chickens. Your ducks will be happier if you get at least two, and if you can get females only, I think that might be best... you have to be careful with drakes, because they can seriously hurt or possibly even kill a hen trying to mate with them. Also a kiddie pool should be fine. All that being said, ducks are SO much fun!! They have such personalities and can be so adorable!!

 

[Shadrach]

Yeah, I think so.

 

[calboy147]

I have had backyard chicken for 6 years now and have been offered a few ducks. I have a few concerns. Are they noisier than hens? I don’t want to annoy my neighbors. Will they get along with my flock? I have always introduced new chicks slowly, I’m assuming this will work with ducks? Will they go into the coop at night? We have a fair amount of night predators and don’t want them harmed. Will they be content with a kiddie pool or do they need more? I’m only considering taking on one or two. I don’t want to get in over my head.

I would tend to avoid any drakes. They can be quite sexually violent to hens. I say that because my sister's oversexed drake nearly killed my RIR. Of course thinking back on it: every male of several species seem to have a thing for Ruby.