I have had chickens for years. The chickens get let out of the coop into the pen during the day, sometimes get let out to range free, and get locked in the coop at night so predators dont get them. Is this pretty much how ducks work?? I really want ducks, I'm thinking a pair of Cayuga's to start with. I have a pond not far from the chickens, can I let the ducks out during the day to hang out in the pond or should I have an enclosed pond for them? Do I need a separate pen and coop or can they share? Do ducks have that roosting instinct? Are Cayuga's a good choice? Thank you!!
I can tell you that ducks don't roost and that you'll get a lot of conflicting advice on housing ducks and chickens together. Ducks need more room than chickens so unless you already had a massive coop with only a handful of chickens, you'll probably want to house them separately. I imagine that inter-species fighting could also be kept at a minimum if the ducks and chickens had always been brooded together, but that's just what I assume. They'll probably fight regardless if housed together. Personally I'm just starting with Anconas and they will be housed separately from my chickens.
I let my ducks roam during the day and lock them up in a covered pen at night with dog house like structures in it. Ducks usually like to be out of them, but if it gets cold they will curl up in the houses, or sometimes nest in them. Ducks like to sleep on the ground, and straw is nice and warm and they tend to like it. I think it would depend on the pond if you want to risk it. I have a creek that runs along my property and I have successfully kept them out of there (Canadian Geese, wild ducks etc have known to nest there) as I worry about snapping turtles or other wild creatures and it's far from my house. I do have some wet areas though they like to hang in and the only thing I worry about that are hawks, but it hasn't been a problem yet, and I have been doing this a couple of years like this. My biggest problem is worrying about them going in the road, and I lost one that way I don't know about putting them in the coop, or if they would get along with your chickens, but I think if I had chickens, I would house them differently.
The only problem with ducks and chickens together the wet mess which is pretty easy to manage with a small amount of ducks <5. At mating time my drake tried to kill and I mean KILL every rooster on the place. He even tried to get them in the kiddie pool. All I did was run interference. Hope this helps.
Yes, this is helpful. Thank you all. I think I have a plan.. Separate pen, some "housing", maybe a small pond in side the netting, and some daytime access to the bigger pond. I would like just a few nice looking friendly ones to begin with any recommendations? I like how Cayuga's look and they seem pretty friendly. Thank you for the help. Chris
