Hi folks. I've been reading the website for a couple years, but just registered as a user. We're starting our 3rd year with chickens; we started with some Valley Quail that got stuck in a storm drain, and it went from there. The day we released our quail, we went to the feed store and got chickens.
Our Mottled Java went broody, so we found a local source for fertile eggs, and let her hatch out a brood. We ended up with 50-50 roos and pullets. The roos were very friendly to people, tolerated our dogs, and molested the hens. They were also delicious.
So, we have 8 hens that range hither and yon, and we decided to get some ducks. We have a chocolate runner, a Pekin, and rouen. The chickens have left them alone for the most part...there's been some curiosity, but no hostility or pecking. The ducks are totally chill around the ladies, and the ladies are pretty chill to the ducks. Carlton, Deuce, and Ducky MoMo are about 6 weeks old, and they've been outside in their own coop for about 5 days now. They have a "turtle" pool to swim in, lots of shade, plenty of food, and they're starting to shed their skittishness. And they have no pecking order...they wander around together, quacking and shaking their butts. The plan is to combine the ducks and hens this summer, into one area, and let them hang out there. The lawn out back is starting to look like we have chickens, so it's time to corral them all together in one space, and give grass a chance...
I'll keep you posted on the progress. Next year, maybe we'll add a couple Heritage Turkeys to the flock, and "celebrate" on Thanksgiving.
Our Mottled Java went broody, so we found a local source for fertile eggs, and let her hatch out a brood. We ended up with 50-50 roos and pullets. The roos were very friendly to people, tolerated our dogs, and molested the hens. They were also delicious.
So, we have 8 hens that range hither and yon, and we decided to get some ducks. We have a chocolate runner, a Pekin, and rouen. The chickens have left them alone for the most part...there's been some curiosity, but no hostility or pecking. The ducks are totally chill around the ladies, and the ladies are pretty chill to the ducks. Carlton, Deuce, and Ducky MoMo are about 6 weeks old, and they've been outside in their own coop for about 5 days now. They have a "turtle" pool to swim in, lots of shade, plenty of food, and they're starting to shed their skittishness. And they have no pecking order...they wander around together, quacking and shaking their butts. The plan is to combine the ducks and hens this summer, into one area, and let them hang out there. The lawn out back is starting to look like we have chickens, so it's time to corral them all together in one space, and give grass a chance...
I'll keep you posted on the progress. Next year, maybe we'll add a couple Heritage Turkeys to the flock, and "celebrate" on Thanksgiving.
