Ducks and other farm animals together?

[jdywntr]

Hi all.
I recently relocated to Alabama from Florida and had to sell all of my birds before the move. We were lucky enough to find a rental home here on 5 acres on the top of a mountain and I am planning on getting some birds soon.

The homeowners have 2 horses, 2 donkeys and a ram in the pastures. They plan on getting some sheep to keep here too. There is a henhouse that needs a bit of repair.

My question: Can ducks free range in the pasture with the other animals?

I have read that chickens are good around horses and sheep, they keep them from spooking and eat bugs, etc. There is welded wire fencing that I can use to seperate the pastures and keep the birds seperate if needed. It seems that the birds would be safer if the animals, especially the donkeys were able to get close since there are a number of predators up here.

Thanks!

 

[Iain Utah]

My ducks and african geese free range with my horses and they get along really well.

 

[jdywntr]

Thanks Iain. I just don't want anyone getting hurt. It will be a bit anyway since I am not going to be getting grown birds so I'll have to keep them contained until they're feathered.

 

[Going Quackers]

My horses don't bother the ducks at all... honestly, most days they completely ignore there presence lol

 

[veronicasmom]

Huh, a ram. I have a great friend that has a large flock of sheep and two rams. She has extensive sheep keeping knowledge (she is also a vet). She has told me MANY stories about how dangerous rams can be. Seriously dangerous. No joke. Now I am sure there are people that have gentle rams. But they are generally very strong, and fueled by hormones. Now that being said, she also told me about how two of her guinea hens roost in one of the ram's pens. So, I guess the moral of the story is you have to take each animal individually. I would be concerned to some degree.
I have two horses now. One will totally ignore my ducks and I trust her completely with them. The other mare, not so much. She does not like small creatures. So I have to watch when the ducks are loose and the horses are turned out. I cannot say she would hurt them, but also cannot say she will not.
My late Appaloosa mare, who was herd boss, would have stomped the ducks to smithereens, thinking she was protecting her band. She HATED HATED HATED small critters anywhere near her other two girls.
So, take from this what you will. I'd just be very careful.