Ducks pulling chickens feathers out.

[Kalyiah]

I ordered a cackle surprise box, 56 total arrived healthy but lost one last week. Theyre 2 weeks old as of today. Came with 2 ducks anyways i'm keeping them together I've heard mixed reactions if i should keep them together or seperate, when i had them seperated they just made noise all day and once i put them with the chickens they were fine, and are relatively clean as far as their water goes. Today i noticed one of the ducks (rouen) started pulling some of the chickens feathers out when the chickens walk by them while theyre laying down. Should i be concerned about this or will it pass? I really don't want to have to seperate them and my husband is somewhat against having to build another area just for them unless we absolutely need to. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Lil Drake40]

I would separate thebrooder some how so they can all stay together but the duckling can’t pluck the chick plus ducklings are so messy with water they can make thebrooder so wet which isn’t healthy for chicks

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

How big is the brooder?
So, you have 53 chickens? Or is there other poultry in the mix?
2 ducks wouldn't need an extreme amount of space. Can you divide them off in the brooder? What will their set up be after the brooder?

 

[Kalyiah]

I had 56 total, (2 turkeys, 2 ducks, and 52 chickens) unfortunately lost one chicken so only 55 left. Its about 50 or so sq ft, wooden box hubby made. I could divide off the brooder but i was always told chickens need about .5sqft growing up, havent had chicks in awhile so my math could be wrong on that, planned on transfering them all outside at 6 weeks or so they have a 8ft tall 10ft long 4ft wide chicken coop and my entire backyard which is 2-3 lots so plenty of room

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are you planning to sell any?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

It doesn't really matter how tall your coop is. A 10'x4' coop is big enough for 10 full size chickens. Maybe a few more, but not 52 plus 2 ducks and 2 turkeys. Especially if you have harsh weather or if they will be confined at any time (due to predators).
You will have a lot more picking and problems keeping them in such a small area. I don't know what the recommended brooder space is, but my 4 ducks had a huge kiddie pool and I felt they outgrew that before 6 weeks.
How much sq ft do you have in your lots? Will your birds be free ranging? Ultimately for the best set up they should have 10 sq feet per bird in the run area which is about 500 sq ft plus.
The duckling is picking on the chickens because he can do it so easily in such a small space. As well, the chickens eventually are going to be pecking - one another, the ducks, the turkeys. Etc. I am not sure your brooder will work for the full 6 weeks.

 

[Kalyiah]

Are you planning to sell any?

I do plan on selling some of them, not all of them, it was my first surprise box and im not sure how many roosters and such are in there.

 

[Kalyiah]

It doesn't really matter how tall your coop is. A 10'x4' coop is big enough for 10 full size chickens. Maybe a few more, but not 52 plus 2 ducks and 2 turkeys. Especially if you have harsh weather or if they will be confined at any time (due to predators).
You will have a lot more picking and problems keeping them in such a small area. I don't know what the recommended brooder space is, but my 4 ducks had a huge kiddie pool and I felt they outgrew that before 6 weeks.
How much sq ft do you have in your lots? Will your birds be free ranging? Ultimately for the best set up they should have 10 sq feet per bird in the run area which is about 500 sq ft plus.
The duckling is picking on the chickens because he can do it so easily in such a small space. As well, the chickens eventually are going to be pecking - one another, the ducks, the turkeys. Etc. I am not sure your brooder will work for the full 6 weeks.

We plan on making a bigger coop, sorry should've put that in my post but I was asking about the brooder not the coop . Anyways we plan on adding on/making a new coop before theyre big enough to go outside. I've read that 2ft min for them being free range and only having to be inside the coop during the weather/night, and i'd say around a quarter of an acre maybe slightly less? Not sure exactly. Will have to add onto the brooder for an area just for ducks, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I do plan on selling some of them, not all of them, it was my first surprise box and im not sure how many roosters and such are in there.

I am tempted every year to get the same surprise box.

Selling some is not a bad idea at all.

I am always scared off by my surprise maybe being 50% males.

 

[Kalyiah]

I am tempted every year to get the same surprise box.

Selling some is not a bad idea at all.

I am always scared off by my surprise maybe being 50% males.

We had 8 but they were my sister in laws that we've been taking care of for about 2 years, she finally came and got them after getting situated it was bittersweet which is why my hubby thought surprising me with a surprise box for our anniversary would be good for me. Like i said on the other post I'm here to learn and would love suggestions/ideas on their space. Feel free to comment on here or message me. Thanks