I think Orpingtons were a bad choice to go with my ducks

[Jenbirdee]

Ducks make wet messes the pools and everything, and my 2 choc orps have so much bottom floof it gets wet. I should have reseached to ask what the best breeds are to go in with ducks. I have 14 ducks now and put 2 orpington hens in with them and do not have enough yard left to keep them separated. I tried but the orps wanted to be with the ducks anyway and my geese own their own section of the yard that they need so I cant give p any of that anyway. I should have got chickens with no bottom floof and maybe very long legs lol

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think any chicken that you put with ducks would likely have the same issue.
I can't think of any chicken breed that doesn't have Butt Fluff and they certainly do like to have dry areas so they can take dust baths.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I think any chicken that you put with ducks would likely have the same issue.
I can't think of any chicken breed that doesn't have Butt Fluff and they certainly do like to have dry areas so they can take dust baths.

oh ok well they do have dry areas and a nice dust bath area they like to use so maybe they are fine yay

 

[Jenbirdee]

It’s like they are wearing a long skirt lol they are so beautiful this is Stella D’oro

 

[Amer]

Guinea fowl are the best “chickens” to go with ducks.
I’m serious! Not that I’m suggesting you get guineas or anything, but they really get along.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

oh ok well they do have dry areas and a nice dust bath area they like to use so maybe they are fine yay

She's lovely and is a bit extra fluffy, but most all chickens have fluff.

Do some more research to see if there may be other issues with keeping chickens with ducks. You had mentioned on another thread you are dealing with Giardia with your dog and Geese, so I'd also research that to make sure that your ducks and chickens don't end up being sick as well.

 

[Jenbirdee]

She's lovely and is a bit extra fluffy, but most all chickens have fluff.

Do some more research to see if there may be other issues with keeping chickens with ducks. You had mentioned on another thread you are dealing with Giardia with your dog and Geese, so I'd also research that to make sure that your ducks and chickens don't end up being sick as well.

yes thank you you are right. it's weird my vet said the dog has it but she doesnt show signs (no diarrhea) and I figure the geese should be treated because one of them does have diarrhea. the ducks are all well but I plan to treat with safeguard anyway .but the chickens just had 2 treatments with Valbazen and also 2 recent treatments permethrin so Im holding off before giving them safeguard... also the chickens might have depluming mites so I ordered ivermectin topical and will give that probably soon as possible because their bellies are bare and red with little feather shafts broken .

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like peeling skin.
How much do they lay down in dampness and what are your roosting bars like?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Looks like peeling skin.
How much do they lay down in dampness and what are your roosting bars like?

I don't think Ive ever seen them lay down anywhere damp. They have a new coop that's very dry it's a few feet off the ground with a nice vinyl floor and with a 2x4 roost and a couple of natural branch roosts also but I the 2x4 has the 2" side up and I think they would prefer the 4" side up so Im trying to figure out how to adjust it . Since the new coop arrived they go in it and sleep in it but they mostly lay down on the clean dry pine flakes in there and they dont hop onto the roosts. I was wondering if they are allergic to pine flakes. But now I think its depluming mites creating the skin flakes. I’m waiting for topical ivermectin and lime sulfur dip to come in the mail now, going to try the sulfur bath first. The yard they share with my ducks is 3000 sq feet filled with things to go in through over under and stand on ( children’s playhouses and toddler slides, stumps, tables, chairs, ladders, patio umbrellas, potted trees, bushes, etc ) my Mom says it’s an amusement park for ducks (and chickens!! )

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Since the new coop arrived they go in it and sleep in it but they mostly lay down on the clean dry pine flakes in there and they dont hop onto the roosts. I was wondering if they are allergic to pine flakes. But now I think its depluming mites creating the skin flakes.

It's from them laying down in the pine flakes all the time instead of roosting.

If it were depluming mites, they would have feather loss all over and be anxiously picking at their feathers and plucking them out.