Ducks didn't want chicks near there space!

[newchickmom09]

Yesterday we brought out two of our 12 day old chicks outside. We sat on the ground next to the pen were the ducks are. The ducks ran over to the edge and started hissing and chirp/quacking at them. One of the chicks walked close to the cage and our smaller ducks stuck her head out as far as she could to get that little chick. Good thing I have chicken wire across the pen 8 inches up or she could have gotten her head out low enough to get the little chick.

If we bring the chicks out more and more next to the pen will it be easier for everyone to get along once the chicks are big enough to be outside? It seemed like the ducks were guarding there territory.

 

[jacyjones]

I found that when we let our 10 week old chickens out it was only the ducks that got cross about it. I was very surprised as they had seen the chicks through wire from when they were about 4 weeks old but they still were quite aggressive. They are ok now but they are not really very friendly, I think it may be because one is a young roo.

 

[newchickmom09]

I really hope they can get along..hubby says if no then it is duck stew.

Can they really hurt the chicks? I have never seen what ducks can do to anything.

 

[jacyjones]

I am sure they would be able to kill your chicks at such a young age. Be very careful and only leave them alone together when your chicks are full size at about 10-12 weeks. It is a good idea for them to be able to see each other but they still have to sort out a pecking order when they are able to meet.

I was watching my young ones this morning when I let everyone out (the young ones spend the night apart from the others) and the ducks were threatening the young roo and charging at him. They have been mixing in the day now for 2 weeks. Of course the young ones are big enough not to get too hurt but they back down and avoid fights. It seems the ducks can tell he is male and don't like him!

Good luck with your little ones.

 

[newchickmom09]

jacyjones~ thanks for that info. We let everyone out in the yard yesterday. It was all the other chicks first time outside. Then we let out the ducks and they just ran right past them to get into the pond. I guess they really only bother them when it comes to the coop area. We plan on keeping the chicks inside til they are atleast 4 weeks old then putting them outside. We have the coops devided into two areas so we will just have to close off the pins so they kep seperated until they are big enough. I was wondering what damage a duck could do.

 

[jacyjones]

I don't think ducks are naturally very aggressive but what mine do is lower their heads, fluff their feathers and charge. Their beaks are hard but not sharp so they will not draw blood but they do pull feathers out!!