I am new to this!! Please help!!

[BaileyPaisley]

Now when it is warm enough for my flock to go outside can I give Bailey and Paisley like a kiddy pool with water so they can swim? Also will my chicks try to drink from it and drowned? I don't want that to happen to Arroura and McCnugget :/

 

[themightysteph]

It should start warming up soon to do that. I'd keep them in for a month and a half before doing that. U can have a kiddie pool for the ducks and the ducks won't care how dirty it is and will still drink from it ur chickens on the other hand will not drink dirty water so u can have the pool for the ducks then get a water dish for the chickens u will have to clean it out daily or every other day cuz the ducks will make it muddy nasty water. If u are worried about the chickens getting in the pool put a few steps in it so they can get out.

 

[BaileyPaisley]

Thank you for the tips! I tried putting the chicks and ducklings together and the chicks were fine with Bailey, but they were picking at Paisleys legs...I think it's because he is different and my teacher says chicks don't like different and will pick at it. So I seperated them. Will the chickens grow out of this and not pick on Paisley? Also does anyone have an easy cheap way to build a chicken/duck coop? And the weather is suppose to be in the 55s is that warm enough for my flock to go out and play for a short while?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Chicks are known peckers and once they start it can lead to injuries, they have sharp beaks, if they are already pecking I'd keep them separate.

Here is good info https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[Miss Lydia]

Now when it is warm enough for my flock to go outside can I give Bailey and Paisley like a kiddy pool with water so they can swim? Also will my chicks try to drink from it and drowned? I don't want that to happen to Arroura and McCnugget

I had a chick drown in the ducks water bucket so until the chicks are around 4 weeks old I wouldn't have open water in their pen. I now but a piece of flat scrap wood over half the opening on my buckets when I have chicks to keep them from jumping in and the water fowl can still stick their heads in to wash.
What ages are your ducklings and chicks? on a nice non windy day when the sun is shining and above 60* you could take them out for short field trips.

 

[themightysteph]

You can build ur frame with like 2x4 or what ever wood u want then wrap chicken wire around the frame (in or out side the frame) which ever you choose. And staple the wire or nail every few inches on the beams. And have a little hang on the bottom and step on it and burry it so predators can get in. I did that and my coop is 8x16 and that is huge to them. And I used ply wood for the top of my coop for some kind of shelter I'll as more on the sides but it's nice and big ill post picks later. Much cheaper than buying a small one that they won't like.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is a link to lots of threads with pics... https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Duck+houses+and+runs

 

[BaileyPaisley]

My dad wants to build it over half are garden. The ground is frozen still with a ton of snow so I don't think there going outside anytime soon! Ill have to draw somthing up. Also my hens will have nesting boxes do ducks nest? Also are they're eggs good? Do they hide there eggs?

 

[themightysteph]

My dad wants to build it over half are garden. The ground is frozen still with a ton of snow so I don't think there going outside anytime soon! Ill have to draw somthing up. Also my hens will have nesting boxes do ducks nest? Also are they're eggs good? Do they hide there eggs?

Yes they will try to hide their eggs in the mud straw or what ever . U can try to make nest boxes for the ducks. They might not use it lol and I heard they are good they just don't taste like a chicken egg lol

 

[BaileyPaisley]

How would I house them in the winter? I live in Wisconsin and we have brutal winters. I do not have a garage so that's not an option or a basement. I want to keep all my animals happy and healthy. Also are there any recommended shots for ducks and chickens? I'm use to vaccinating my horses and ponies and was wondering about there care and vet needs.