Hello!
I have a small flock of two chickens (A black Australorp and a Barred Rock) that I’ve had for 4.5 years. I lost the third of the flock in June, suddenly. At this time. I decided to add two ducks and got two Indian Runner week old ducklings. I raised them inside. At about 5 weeks, I started taking them into the yard for gradually longer periods of time. I had them on the grass in a cage type dog crate and let the chickens free range in the yard so they could get used to each other. I did this for about 1.5 weeks.
The chickens have a coop that is about three feet off the ground attached to a run that is three feet wide and covers three sides of my garage. It’s spacious. In the evening, I shut a door between the side of the run that has the coop included and the rest of the run, because it is completely predator proof.
So, I enclosed the area under the coop and installed a solar activated door for the ducks. At first, the chickens didn’t do much. When everyone is out in the yard which only happens when I’m out with them, the ducks and chickens each do their own thing, and I’ve even noticed the ducks, now about 8 weeks old, gaining confidence to grab treats that I toss in close proximity to the chickens.
Inside the run, however, is a different story. Every morning now, the chickens enter the ducks’ coop and chase them out. They eat their food, or hold them hostage all huddled in the corner. I’ve even seen them separate the ducks or stay right outside of their coop so they’re afraid to enter the run. I call them the chicken mafia! I’ve placed food and water in three different spots hoping there wouldn’t be an issue of food guarding. It’s been a few weeks now and seems like it’s getting a bit worse. There has been no blood drawn but the chickens do sometimes chase and jump on top of the ducks. Sometimes I close off the main run with the chickens in the other part, but wonder if that could make them angrier/more aggressive later.
I don’t want my sweet ducks to be frightened all the time and worry they could get hurt. How long should I expect the birds to take to work this all out? Should I configure the run in some way that permanently separates them? Is there something I should have or could now do to make things more harmonious?
Thanks for any insight!
I have a small flock of two chickens (A black Australorp and a Barred Rock) that I’ve had for 4.5 years. I lost the third of the flock in June, suddenly. At this time. I decided to add two ducks and got two Indian Runner week old ducklings. I raised them inside. At about 5 weeks, I started taking them into the yard for gradually longer periods of time. I had them on the grass in a cage type dog crate and let the chickens free range in the yard so they could get used to each other. I did this for about 1.5 weeks.
The chickens have a coop that is about three feet off the ground attached to a run that is three feet wide and covers three sides of my garage. It’s spacious. In the evening, I shut a door between the side of the run that has the coop included and the rest of the run, because it is completely predator proof.
So, I enclosed the area under the coop and installed a solar activated door for the ducks. At first, the chickens didn’t do much. When everyone is out in the yard which only happens when I’m out with them, the ducks and chickens each do their own thing, and I’ve even noticed the ducks, now about 8 weeks old, gaining confidence to grab treats that I toss in close proximity to the chickens.
Inside the run, however, is a different story. Every morning now, the chickens enter the ducks’ coop and chase them out. They eat their food, or hold them hostage all huddled in the corner. I’ve even seen them separate the ducks or stay right outside of their coop so they’re afraid to enter the run. I call them the chicken mafia! I’ve placed food and water in three different spots hoping there wouldn’t be an issue of food guarding. It’s been a few weeks now and seems like it’s getting a bit worse. There has been no blood drawn but the chickens do sometimes chase and jump on top of the ducks. Sometimes I close off the main run with the chickens in the other part, but wonder if that could make them angrier/more aggressive later.
I don’t want my sweet ducks to be frightened all the time and worry they could get hurt. How long should I expect the birds to take to work this all out? Should I configure the run in some way that permanently separates them? Is there something I should have or could now do to make things more harmonious?
Thanks for any insight!
