Introducing my ducks to chickens

[claireree]

Can anyone help, I have 2 4 week old duckling that are now getting their proper feathers through at the moment they are in with my chickens but in a little pen we have built for them so the chickens can see them through the wire but not get to them. When would be a good idea to introduce them to the hens and how is the best way to do this, I am a bit worried as chickens have quite a peck and dont want them hurting them.

I know it will take a few days for them to all get used to each other. Also where do your ducks roost at night as not sure ducks can fly as good as chickens.

 

[kingpincray]

I am no expert but I introduced my ducks to the chickens when they were full grown at about 4 months and they still got chased around all day for a good two weeks. They still don't really get along all that well after a couple of months. They sleep outside on the ground while the chicken roost. They are very entertaining to watch when the ducks decides to fight back. They would give a chickens a good push when the hens aren't looking and make a quick run away...

all the best with yours.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

I would let them free range with eachother first if possible. Then put them in together. Mine free ranged together for a long time, and sometimes i have to keep the ducks in with the chickens and they are just fine.

 

[Jeeper1540]

my chickens hate my ducks. they live together, but they have this agreement where if the younger ducks stay out of the way of the older chickens, nobody gets pecked. it just seems kinda wrong to watch my 2 pound leghorn scare my 6 pound Pekin duck. i always tell the duck to turn around and peck the chicken! lol

 

[Beryl]

My two ducks went in with the chickens at 6 months old. The ducks stayed together and just moved out the way of the chickens and now they all live very well together. At night the chickens go on their roost which is on a shelf and the ducks sleep under the shelf as they do not roost.
Sometimes I find them asleep in the chickens nest boxes so leave them there if they are happy.
Good Luck beryl

 

[Sillystunt]

my ducks killed my roo! The drakes can be very nasty and i will NEVER do that again!

 

[crj]

I have just recently let the ducks out to free range with the chickens. They will be 10 weeks old tomorrow. Neither like each other at the moment. They are curious about each other though. Chickens like duck food...... no doubt about that. They really seem to love the duck pen. I have trouble right now keeping them out. The ducks are having a ball running around the yard. I say running because they are Runner ducks. They are keeping there distance from the chickens for the most part.

When the chickens and ducks are in the duck coop the smaller female let the chicken know that it was her place and to leave. The chicken on the other hand bullied the young duck by kicking her in the chest. The duck turned around as if to say....... go ahead...... stay if you want.... ugh. That happened a couple of times. I have to say they will run each other off but nothing serious is happening. I think it will get better as time goes on. Right now everything is new and exciting to the ducks.

 

[claireree]

ok sounds like it could be interesting. they are still quite young at the moment so will leave them to get a bit bigger. The other question is how to you sep the feed for each other at the moment they are on different food.

 

[Beryl]

I had to remove my roo from the coop as he scared the ducks. The ducks live with 2 docile RIR and one silkie cross and one 3 month old chick that the silkie hatched out even though not her egg. So quite a mixed bunch but all happy.
pic of mum and baby on avatar

 

[claireree]

I have just got home to find my 2 ducklings (4/5 weeks old) wondering around in the chicken pen. They seem quite happy the cockerel I have has given them a couple of pecks but that is it, I dont know if its because last week I introduced a couple of new hens and they are just getting used to them being in the pen but my nasty hen that keeps picking on the new hens is comp leaving them alone. Its almost as if because they are ducks they arent as bad as new hens.

Is this normal. I have left there pen open so they can back in but the chickens cant.