Ducks or no

[Nellydog]

I want ducks, I’ve never had chickens, yet. I am getting them soon just 3 to start but I kind of want ducks too. They’d be pets I’m not really looking for eggs. Is there ducks that get along with chickens won’t be horriably messy and do I need multiple or can I just get 1 and they can be friends with the chickens. I live near Chicago so they have to be hardy to heat and really cold weather

 

[N F C]

It's always been my thinking that ducks need other ducks and chickens need other chickens.

That's just me, others will probably have other ideas.

 

[birdlover2]

I don't know much about ducks, but I've seen a chicken hatching and raising baby ducks. They are both flock birds, and I've heard of people keeping other types of birds wth chickens. Hope this helps!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I personally think it’s best get more than one duck, ducks are very social animals, While it is possible to keep just one duck, its is strongly recommended that you have at least one other duck for company.
My ducks don’t seem to mix well with my chickens.

 

[SniperGoose]

Ducks need duck friends. I have 2 Pekin drakes that I keep in my fenced enclosure during the day. They get along with the chickens, however, they are always together and often not around the chickens. Ducks will be happiest with another of their own kind.

 

[birdlover2]

Other ppl on this tread definatly know more about ducks then me, it seems from reading these posts that if you get a duck you should get more than one, but you don't neccasarily have to keep them completely seperate from chickens.

 

[Alexandra33]

Agree with above post. Ducks are social animals who thrive on companionship, and therefore require at least one webbed friend. This is not to say, however, you can't keep them together. Mine have (almost) always gotten along beautifully, though the mistake of raising drakes with chickens compromised relative harmony. Won't be doing that again.

~Alex

 

[NorthernChick1]

my 2 muscovie hens have been together with my 9 chickens since they were 2 days old. they got along very well. i think muscovies are super friendly sometime to friendly where my hens will pick on them.