Introducing a hen to my chicks and ducklings

[Whooper]

Hello. I have 7 chicks and 6 ducks and am hoping to start putting them outside since the weather is nice. I did try and put my ducklings and chicks in the same brooder (big old dog crate) however the ducklings must have sat on them and got them all wet as they were on the edge of dying. They are so much better now that I removed them and put them back in their own brooder. Is there any suggestions out there for putting them together outside? Should I just keep them separate? Also in a bout a month I will be taking in a friends hen who doesn't like that she's all alone when the weather is nice. She's an older hen and such a sweetheart. First hen I've been around that I could pick up and follow me around like a dog. How will it go introducing her to my flock? Any suggestions? Thank you I know this is a lot of writing.

 

[rockthecoop]

Put a fence in between the hen and chicks that way they get used to each other, Make sure the chicks are older before you introduce them. Do this everyday for a little while and they will get used to each other. Hoped I helped!

 

[520farmer]

Hello. I have 7 chicks and 6 ducks and am hoping to start putting them outside since the weather is nice. I did try and put my ducklings and chicks in the same brooder (big old dog crate) however the ducklings must have sat on them and got them all wet as they were on the edge of dying. They are so much better now that I removed them and put them back in their own brooder. Is there any suggestions out there for putting them together outside? Should I just keep them separate? Also in a bout a month I will be taking in a friends hen who doesn't like that she's all alone when the weather is nice. She's an older hen and such a sweetheart. First hen I've been around that I could pick up and follow me around like a dog. How will it go introducing her to my flock? Any suggestions? Thank you I know this is a lot of writing.

you should separate her pretty far from your chicks and watch for any disease, after about a week put one of your chicks in with her and watch for any sickness to present itself in your bird for a week or two then supervised visits to them Big House. Good Luck!