I have 40 hens and 5 ducks. Do i have to seperate them?

[Mt Top Chick]

I have (15)- 2 year old hens. and (25)- 6 month old hens and (5)- 6 month old ducks. I was Just looking at other chicken sites and they say to keep your ducks away from your hens. I have a lot of land (everyone is free range), and everyone seems to be happy and healthy. Everyone is co existing together. My hens have their own water supply. But, I have a little swimming pool that i got at walmart and sometimes the hens drink the ducks bath water. I change the water twice a day. So do i really have to separate them?

 

[9 Feathers Farm]

In a free range area with plenty of land it should be fine. I keep mine together, and yes sometimes the chickens drink the ducks water. Everyone gets along well and no illness has presented itself.

 

[woodmort]

No you don't have to but ducks tend to be messier with water than chickens. When I had both I could never keep the waterer filled nor the floor of the coop dry. Otherwise they got along fine, the chickens laid in the nest boxes and the ducks under it.