Indian Runners or Chickens?

[humblehillsfarm]

I can picture that! Thank you, it does feel weird not having to get out there and take care of animals. I will brood whatever I get outside and so if I get ducks hopefully they’ll know the coop is home. We’ll modify a little bit but I already have a pool and everything so I think we’re ready whatever I decide.
I imagine housing chickens and ducks together could be a challenge depending on space. Are you wanting to house them together or separately?

Initially I wanted them together, but after some reading, I realize ducks are pretty rambunctious at night where chickens just want to sleep. I was playing with the idea of building a small coop on the ground, maybe 4x4, that is inside of the chicken run and usher the ducks in there at night so the chickens have their coop. Predators are such an enormous problem, and the chicken run is the safest space. I only wanted 2-3 ducks max so I have reluctant to consider another run just for them. I’d have to have them in a run though. The other thing is I would free range during the day when I’m home on the weekends, and I have no idea how hard it would be to get the ducks back into the run!

I saw it looked like you lost your flock to illness? You had the funky naked necks right? I’m so sorry you lost them

 

[igorsMistress]

Nah, only if you want an auto refresh of your flock every other year, but runners don’t go broody very often so you’d be hatching and brooding anyway. My drake does organize the girls, alert them for predators, lead them to different forage spots throughout the day etc, but he’d run TF away if there was a real threat that isn’t just me catching a duck for medical treatment. He’s fun to watch but my flock would be fine without him.



Ducks (and runners especially) are incredibly easy to herd! Mine know the routine. That said, they don’t go into the coop until I come out and herd them in. So you probably wouldn’t be able to utilize an automatic door, but if you’re cool going out twice a day at sunrise and sunset you’ll have an easy time of it.

Oh yeah I’m out at least twice a day, I’m the automatic door lol. Thanks for the info on the drake also. I want to keep things pretty simple until I get the hang of things so just a few ducks to start. I’m more interested in layers than hatching, at least initially.

 

[igorsMistress]

Initially I wanted them together, but after some reading, I realize ducks are pretty rambunctious at night where chickens just want to sleep. I was playing with the idea of building a small coop on the ground, maybe 4x4, that is inside of the chicken run and usher the ducks in there at night so the chickens have their coop. Predators are such an enormous problem, and the chicken run is the safest space. I only wanted 2-3 ducks max so I have reluctant to consider another run just for them. I’d have to have them in a run though. The other thing is I would free range during the day when I’m home on the weekends, and I have no idea how hard it would be to get the ducks back into the run!

I saw it looked like you lost your flock to illness? You had the funky naked necks right? I’m so sorry you lost them

Yeah, lol, the naked necks. I think it may have been Mycoplasma brought by pigeons but can’t be sure because can’t get a necropsy right now. I may have chickens again at some point but steering clear for now.
I have a yard they can free range in during the afternoon and on weekends. I’m planning to let them know I’m the treat lady though. Hopefully that’ll help with getting them in at night. Worst case is we’ll catch them after dark I suppose.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Yeah, lol, the naked necks. I think it may have been Mycoplasma brought by pigeons but can’t be sure because can’t get a necropsy right now. I may have chickens again at some point but steering clear for now.
I have a yard they can free range in during the afternoon and on weekends. I’m planning to let them know I’m the treat lady though. Hopefully that’ll help with getting them in at night. Worst case is we’ll catch them after dark I suppose.

Well keep us up to date! I am nervous about getting ducks, but then again I was nervous about getting my first chickens too and it all worked out. Mostly.

 

[igorsMistress]

Well keep us up to date! I am nervous about getting ducks, but then again I was nervous about getting my first chickens too and it all worked out. Mostly.

I understand! I’m a little nervous too but I have some eggs in my basket to buy and try hatching so might just give it a go, just can’t quite give it that push yet.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I understand! I’m a little nervous too but I have some eggs in my basket to buy and try hatching so might just give it a go, just can’t quite give it that push yet.

The first step is the hardest step!

 

[Beaglegal]

I understand! I’m a little nervous too but I have some eggs in my basket to buy and try hatching so might just give it a go, just can’t quite give it that push yet.

I think you will do well with ducks . I knew nothing about mine when we moved here but they have thrived despite me being a novice

 

[igorsMistress]

I think you will do well with ducks . I knew nothing about mine when we moved here but they have thrived despite me being a novice

Thank you
I ordered a dozen runner duck eggs, need to prep the incubator...

 

[LapisLazuli]

Congratulations on your duck eggs! Where did you get them?

 

[igorsMistress]

Congratulations on your duck eggs! Where did you get them?

Thanks! I ordered from eBay, they are coming from TX I think so not too far away. I’ve hatched shipped chicken eggs many times but never hatched any water fowl before.