Ducks and Chickens together questions

[Kaugomu]

My husband and I were thinking of adding some ducks to our backyard flock of chickens and were curious about the implications of combining the two. From what I've read, they can get along together just fine but it's suggested they have separate coops. I'm just looking for some advice and info on how to successfully co-mingle the two species. Also, how many ducks do we need - could we get just one since it'll have chicken friends, or do we need to get two or three so they have friends of their own. We have a small backyard area where our chickens are allowed to free range within it - I'm guessing around 200 square feet not counting the space where the coop is. There will be eight chickens plus ducks in that space. Our city ordinances don't allow the birds to just free range, so we've set up that area so they still have space but are technically "confined".

I hope I'm making sense - my brain isn't totally on yet. Thanks for any information and help on this. Also - if you don't think it's enough space or it won't work for some other reason - it's totally cool, we'll wait for our home in the country (some day) to add the ducks to our flock. They are cute, but we want to make sure to provide the best house for them we can too.

 

[Mum]

I think you have enough space.

I wouldn't get just one duck, two minimum.

They will free range together okay (well, mine do) but mine have seperate sleeping arrangements and seperate enclosed runs for those times when it isn't feasible to free range together.

 

[MVchickens]

I have 8 chickens and a roo and 3 female ducks.I just opened up the fencing to let the ducks run with the chickens. Its been working great so far. I think the key is making sure they have enough room and are about the same size. Mine share a 20x40 run with a little pond at one corner. They sleep in their own coops at night though.

 

[gryeyes]

My ducks, geese, and chickens all range freely together, and they have the same garage-sized coop so there is plenty of floor space for the ducks and geese to sleep on the floor without getting under roosts.

I would suggest, if you keep water for them to drink in the coop, you have a separate waterer for the ducks and keep the chicken waterer up higher, if possible, so the ducks use the one on the ground and the chickens get one not messed with by the ducks.

Ducks need deeper water so they can dunk their entire bills into the water to clear their nares.

 

[Kaugomu]

Are there any specific duck breeds that you would or wouldn't recommend for raising up with chicks?

 

[jessiduck]

Muscovy or runner ducks are great with chicks! I would , as you said, get them together as babies and once they can go into a coop let them house separately. Be careful if you have a male duck, make sure he has some girlfriends with him. Watch that he is not agressive towards your hens. If he becomes a problem buy a rooster,lol! Wishing you the best of luck!!!!!!!!

 

[duckking]

We have 8 hens, 2 roo's, 1 drake and 6 female ducks all roaming together. Have been for almost 2 years now and they have been good. The roo's were brought up together (both accidents) and one is dominant. They have a few tussles every now and then, but nothing serious. The drake is extremely protective of his girls and will chase the roo's around if they get too interested. The ducks are a mix of Mallards, Rouens, Welsh Harlequin and a Jumbo Pekin. They have their own houses, but lately the ducks have been sleeping in the bottom of the henhouse, which makes a mess for me, but the chickens don't seem to care.

 

[Kelciesducks]

I have 4 Hens and 2 roosters with 5 one month old Saxony ducks and 3 two week old white crested ducks. They all get along great!!! The only issue I have is the ducks make a heck of a mess with the water...I'm still working on that one. They all free range together and sleep together and they also have a fenced in area that they share.

 

[Ally May]

How is this working for you. I am getting ready to order 5 hens (chicken), 1 rooster, and a pair of ducks. Still not sure how this is all going to work.

Any advise would be wonderful!

Thanks!

 

[tweetysvoice]

I have 4 chickens (7weeks old) and 3 ducks (9 weeks old) and they all get along great!! One of the problems we had when they were all a bit younger is that the ducks can get very excited when they see you coming with food and don't hesitate to step all over the chickens, knocking them out of the way. You just have to be careful. We had our separated in different brooders till they were all about 5-6 weeks old to overcome the size issues. The ducks also make an absolute mess with water, so it was easier to keep the chickens dry in separate brooders. Now that they are all outside and in the same coop/run - we just have a pond and a small tub for the ducks to play in the water and a separate waterer that the chickens can get to (on-top of their coop) and it's all good. They tend to be in separate groups - ducks hang together and chicken hang together - unless it's snack time. I have seen them all cuddled and sleeping under the sun a couple times, but as soon as I get close to take a picture, they scatter LOL! So in other words, it can and does work out great!