Ducks at My Pet Chicken

[RodNTN]

So... my favorite hatchery now has ducks? And goslings? I would love to have ducks, but know nothing about the cons and pros, and what breed would be best to get? I literally know nothing about ducks, and was wondering if you "duck-people" could give me some tips and/or a favorite breed of yours? I am not planning on buying ducklings anytime soon, maybe sometime this year or in the future.
And what about geese? Are they easier or harder to care for? And do waterfowl get along well with chickens?
I have always been a chicken person, but have gotten very curious after looking through some adorable pictures of ducklings
Thanks so much in advance!

 

[PirateGirl]

Why don't you take a gander at the learning center?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/other-backyard-fowl-ducks-quail-turkeys-geese-etc.67519/

and the Ducks' Sticky Topics

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.256233/

 

[RodNTN]

Okay, I'll start reading ASAP!

 

[1goose2ducks]

If you want to mix your ducks and chickens ALWAYS keep the chicken water elevated in any way possible. Ducks are very messy. I have two geese and I would not recommend them they take up a lot of room and can be very aggressive and loud. They do make good parents and protectors for the flock.

My favorite breeds of duck is the duclair,runner, and pekin. Ducks don’t need deep water, a kiddie pool will work for when they are penned in at night. Don’t have any sharp or pointy things in the coop ducks and get bumble foot very easily because of there large size. If you do want a duck that will hatch eggs I would suggest a Muscovy duck or pekin. Ducks breed all year round and will breed with other species. So cross breeding is very easy. Have at least two females for every male or drake. Have four square feet per small duck and six square feet per large duck. If you have any more questions I didn’t say then ask and I’ll try to help answer them. Good luck

 

[RodNTN]

If you want to mix your ducks and chickens ALWAYS keep the chicken water elevated in any way possible. Ducks are very messy. I have two geese and I would not recommend them they take up a lot of room and can be very aggressive and loud. They do make good parents and protectors for the flock.

My favorite breeds of duck is the duclair,runner, and pekin. Ducks don’t need deep water, a kiddie pool will work for when they are penned in at night. Don’t have any sharp or pointy things in the coop ducks and get bumble foot very easily because of there large size. If you do want a duck that will hatch eggs I would suggest a Muscovy duck or pekin. Ducks breed all year round and will breed with other species. So cross breeding is very easy. Have at least two females for every male or drake. Have four square feet per small duck and six square feet per large duck. If you have any more questions I didn’t say then ask and I’ll try to help answer them. Good luck

I have always heard that they are messy, my chickens have always been messy so I wonder what ducks would be like

Okay, I am sort of steering away from geese...

Thanks so much for all of the tips! I don't think that I want a duck that will go broody all of the time, I deal with that enough with my flock of chickens
I was thinking more along the line of pets or eggs.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Ducks can be very noisy and they will make the run a muddy mess every winter. Mine are free range and like to swim in the pond all day long. The best you could do is supply them with a kiddie pool as @1goose2ducks says. They will eat poultry mash but some will be picky with layers pellets. They don’t form bonds with the chickens so they will be in their own little gang while outside. If you have a rooster it’s best to supervise on the first few days as roosters and Drake’s don’t mix too well. I have a broody Rouen x alesbury sitting on eggs that are beginning to hatch

I don’t have much experience with geese but I am planning on getting a goose and a gander for my flock over the summer

 

[1goose2ducks]

Be careful the males can go mad to protect the female the female and one hit of the wing can beak bones. Don’t mean to discourage you. Just warning you. Good luck

 

[1goose2ducks]

If you want pet ducks get one male pekin and he will fall in love with you. Indian runners are great egg layers you will get about 300 eggs a year

 

[RodNTN]

Ducks can be very noisy and they will make the run a muddy mess every winter. Mine are free range and like to swim in the pond all day long. The best you could do is supply them with a kiddie pool as @1goose2ducks says. They will eat poultry mash but some will be picky with layers pellets. They don’t form bonds with the chickens so they will be in their own little gang while outside. If you have a rooster it’s best to supervise on the first few days as roosters and Drake’s don’t mix too well. I have a broody Rouen x alesbury sitting on eggs that are beginning to hatch

I don’t have much experience with geese but I am planning on getting a goose and a gander for my flock over the summer

Thanks so much for all of your information! I have 23 acres, so I'm not worried about space. Can I keep all females?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I have always heard that they are messy, my chickens have always been messy so I wonder what ducks would be like

Okay, I am sort of steering away from geese...

Thanks so much for all of the tips! I don't think that I want a duck that will go broody all of the time, I deal with that enough with my flock of chickens
I was thinking more along the line of pets or eggs.

Pekin ducks rarely ever go broody and if you do end up with a broody duck all you’ll have to do is destroy the nest and remove the eggs. I’m the opposite, I love having broodies especially at this time in the year. It’s nice to see the mother birds taking their babies out and about exploring the world