Ducks kept with chickens

[Nin8705]

I am thinking of getting baby ducks to go along with the new baby chicks I just got. Is it possible to keep them together or should they be kept separate. Also if I do end up getting them do I need a certain amount or do they do ok with like 3 to 4. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I got four ducks but I wouldn’t raise them with chicks as they get larger faster. I also wouldn’t house fully grown ducks with chickens because ducks are messy.

 

[MagpieDucks]

I am thinking of getting baby ducks to go along with the new baby chicks I just got. Is it possible to keep them together or should they be kept separate. Also if I do end up getting them do I need a certain amount or do they do ok with like 3 to 4. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

They can be raised together, yes. I would suggest getting 2 female ducks. You could get more if you wanted, but I’d suggest starting with a smaller amount.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Brooding ducklings and chicks together isn’t a good idea. Ducks are very messy with their water and the brooder will be wet for chicks so it would be best to have separate brooders. If you decide to get a drake and you have chicken hens the drake may decide he wants to mate with your chickens so that would be another reason not to let them grow up together. And make sure if you get a drake he has at least 3-4 or more females

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Agree with @Miss Lydia

 

[Nin8705]

I got four ducks but I wouldn’t raise them with chicks as they get larger faster. I also wouldn’t house fully grown ducks with chickens because ducks are messy.

That is good to know thank you. I didn’t think they would be messier

 

[Nin8705]

Brooding ducklings and chicks together isn’t a good idea. Ducks are very messy with their water and the brooder will be wet for chicks so it would be best to have separate brooders. If you decide to get a drake and you have chicken hens the drake may decide he wants to mate with your chickens so that would be another reason not to let them grow up together. And make sure if you get a drake he has at least 3-4 or more females

Thank you. I wasn’t sure if you could have just 2 or if they did better in larger groups so thanks for answering that for me! I guess I will have to see what I can do about getting another area set up for just ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducklings / ducks are awesome and can live together in a coop or while foraging but baby chicks and ducklings it can be hard on the chicks. If at all possible separate brooders are best. Let us know what you decide. We’re all getting in the broody mode! Most important things with adults is making sure the drake has plenty of females then there is still the chance he may go after a chicken but I have never had it happen here.