Introducing chickens to ducks?

[nachoqtpie]

Okay, so on Monday we are ordering our chicks for a 01June delivery. Which means that they won't be really ready for being released in with the ducks until around the beginning of July or so. (If I'm wrong, please correct me!)

I was thinking that since the ducks will already be about 3 months old around the time that we put them out there full time that I would start taking them out there during the day and putting the chicks in with the ducks while I was out there so they could get used to seeing them out there. Will that be enough, or will I have to worry about the ducks attacking them when we put them together?

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Ducks are not usually as obnoxious to new members of the flock.
My chickens were first though, so I am not sure how it would go.
In my yard the chickens are in charge, no question about it.

 

[Ashburnham]

The problem will be with the ducks continually fouling the chickens water.

 

[nachoqtpie]

I'm going to have a kiddie pool, plus waters as well. I'm also not going to put the water and the food close to each other... probably 6' or so apart under a covered overhang. And... it appears that they no longer have chicks for 01June.

So it's going to be a bit later.

You think they would be okay with just the interactions while they are growing?

 

[jessiduck]

I'm going to have a kiddie pool, plus waters as well. I'm also not going to put the water and the food close to each other... probably 6' or so apart under a covered overhang. And... it appears that they no longer have chicks for 01June.

So it's going to be a bit later.

You think they would be okay with just the interactions while they are growing?

They should be fine! Ducks aren't very territorial creatures--only when it comes to their mates! So yes, they should get along just fine!
If you have a male duck just be careful with your chicken hens, because the drake can sometimes try to mate with them and do damage.
Other than that, you should be fine with them! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nachoqtpie]

Fantastic!! Thank you so very much jessiduck! I have no idea what sex ducks I have right now. They're just now starting to get feathers and only one of them has half her quack! LOL

 

[jessiduck]

Fantastic!! Thank you so very much jessiduck! I have no idea what sex ducks I have right now. They're just now starting to get feathers and only one of them has half her quack! LOL

LOL! Awww, I love when they first start to quack! It's so pathetically sweet!

Enjoy your beautiful duckies and be sure to post pics of them when you get a chance!
I'm sure everyone would love to see them (especially me!!!!!!!!)

 

[nachoqtpie]

I had them in the bathtub a little bit ago and the one actually got out a full quack and it scared all of them!

I can't believe how much bigger the Pekins are than the Mallards. We got the Mallards on 3-31 and the Pekins on 4-6 (I'm pretty sure at least!)

Here's from their bath today (son was mowing the lawn and their permanent enclosure isn't done). Their water is FILTHY and they were just outside having a bath yesterday!



And here was from Friday (Can't believe how much they changed in just a couple days!!)

 

[ZoeS95423]

When I first got ducks, I got ducks and chickens together, as babies, and raised them.
But then When I got more chickens and ducks, I just put them in there and the ducks pretty much just ignored the chickens, vice versa.
I would just have to say, dont wait until the roosters (if you get any) are old enough to think they are dominate. I think that would be the main problem starter.

 

[nachoqtpie]

I was figuring that I would put the ducks out as soon as they are able to be outside... so... around a month old??