How many ducks can I get?

[whatbeginsabetnotthat]

Hi there! I currently have fifteen chickens, and was wondering what I would have to do if I got ducks. How many ducks I can get? Is there anything I would have to do for them in the winter? Do they need some place to swim? Are they cold hardy? Can they eat chicken food? Do they sleep on roosting bars? Any other helpful info?? Thanks you guys!!

 

[BoundlessLove]

Hello! First question: Do you have a separate coop/hut for your ducks and if so what are the dimensions?
They will need a separate coop.
This will help determine how many ducks you keep.
Ducks will use something like a kiddie pool to dip their faces and have some swim time daily.
My Swedish ducks do well during winter in their duck hut. I add extra hay for them during the cold months. They will free range even in the snow.
I would recommend switching the chickens and ducks to an all flock feed.
They do not roost, but they will nest.
My chickens and ducks free range together with no problems.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Great questions!
Also, here is a thread which you will find many links to help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-sticky-topics-index.1651611/

 

[KathiQuacks]

Minimum 2, preferably 3. How many maximum would be dependent on your space available.
Ducks are pretty darn cold hardy. As long as they’ve got ample shelter, they should be alright.
Ideally, you’d want something like a kiddy pool for them to swim in, available as much as possible. At least a couple times a week.
Chicken feed is fine, but you’d need to supplement in niacin - they need it to keep their legs strong. Usually people add in nutritional yeast, 1 tbsp per 1 cup of feed, for niacin. Or yes, an all-flock feed would be nice.
Most domestics do not roost, no, but I believe Muscovy and other wild-like breeds do. They won’t necessarily use nesting boxes, either.
They at minimum need a deep water dish while eating, so they do not choke, and to clean out their nares / eyes.
Also, I’d only get female ducks if you’re keeping them with your chickens, as male ducks may attempt to mate the chickens, and could injure / kill them in the process.

 

[whatbeginsabetnotthat]

So chickens and ducks can’t live in the same coop??

 

[The Sniper]

So chickens and ducks can’t live in the same coop??

not ideally, no, In my experience the same pen is fine, and the same coop is fine if the coop is massive.

Ducks are very social animals, rather like humans. Most waterbirds are. I have a great big muscovy, who was the dominant flock leader, and king of the pond, over ducks, geese, and the visiting North American Coot couple that stopped by twice.

Well everything was going great until the neighbor (pure blooded redneck hick guy) who raised cows and did not consider anybody else, got a hunting dog and let him run loose. that muscovy had 3 female muscovys (he would never deign to mate with a normal featherface duck) and all 3 of his ladies were murdered. on top of that the whole herd of geese were scattered across the next 3 fields, but unharmed.
Mr muscovy has not mated a duck since, and has been a depressed loner. He lost his ability to swim long periods of time, and he hates water, which he previously spent all his time in. I cant verify all his issues were caused by the dog attack trauma, but all of the issues started fully and immediately that day.

that duck would be an alcoholic if he knew what alcohol was. hes never gotten better.

 

[The Sniper]

by all means get all the ducks. a pond is ideal