Ducks living with chickens?

[ALJhappychicken]

I want to get a duck or two but how would they mix in with my 15 hens? What's an average duck's needs and behavior, anyway?

 

[wonkyflock14]

Hi ALJ! I am new to this site and keeping poultry, too. I can't offer a ton of advice, but I can tell you my experience with my 5 chickens and 2 Pekins. Everyone gets along just fine! In fact, of our flock 3 of the chickens are older and bigger while 2 are younger and smaller. The bigger ones roost together and the littler ones cuddle right in with the ducks and that works for everyone involved!

Depending on the breed, ROOM is important! My Pekins grew so big so fast we could hardly keep up while they were inside. Now they are happily outside in the coop with a 50 gallon water bin to swim and bathe in. They are messier than anything you could imagine, though, and their webbed feet will just pack down the bedding, so anything (especially anything wet) will get compressed down. They're so much fun to watch and interact with, though! Love my ducks more than I can say.

 

[bustedchicks]

They should all get along fine. I just introduced 2new ducks to the 28 chickens and 2 turkeys. The ducks stood in the middle of all the onlookers and said hi we are ducks. Then everyone went business as usual.

The only big difference is I read that they dont need as high protein as the chickens or turkeys.

 

[Thassa]

My Runner Amy loves her chicken friends and wants nothing more than to spend the day foraging in the woods with them.