Ducks in barn?!

[Liza_ree2017]

So not my idea, but my father in law and I have some ducks. They are kept at his place just down the road from mine at the barn. I live in Upstate NY. We had them outside last year, did fine. But now we have accumulated more ducks than what can comfortably fit in the duck house. They rarely used it last winter. Anyway.. we have about 2 and 1/2 stalls in our barn that will be empty. Actually it was our pig pen until he went to the freezer. We have 8 horses and 6 cows that will be in the barn this winter. The real question is, is my father in law wants to bring the ducks into the barn this winter. Is this safe for the horses/cows? I'd say the barn is roughly a 30x40. Horses usually go out on the nicer winter days, but come in at night. And none of the ducks we have fly, so they would be in there pen.. any input helps.. we have not moved them from outside yet..

 

[Embuck]

I don't see how it would hurt the horses/cows. It used to be very common for all types of livestock to share a barn.
And welcome to BYC!

 

[MageofMist]

I'd be worried over the horses and cows accidentally stepping on a duck.

 

[Embuck]

That might be an issue, especially if they can't fly.

 

[Liza_ree2017]

I guess I should say they wouldn't be free range, it's already made into a pen. It's where we kept the pig, so they would be confined

 

[jvls1942]

I don't see any problem,
however, ducks tend to slop water .
their main goal in live is to see how fast they can slop all the water out of a container.

I personally would let the ducks free range.
except for Muscovys .. ducks and geese are well adapted for winter..
I don't have ducks any more, but I always let them choose if they wanted to go in the coop. they usually chose the outside..

 

[chickens really]

Simple answer...Everyone will be fine in the Barn...