Is 1 duck ok with hens for company?

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

Hi there,

Fairly recently I rehomed some ducks and a hen. They were hatched together as a foursome (2 hens and 2 ducks). Just before they came to me, one hen sadly died.

My 3 girls lived happily together, following each other, sleeping huddled together etc etc. Henny the hen seemed happy to follow but also do her own thing.

Unfortunately, during a day time free-range, Mr Fox appears to have taken 1 of the ducks Henny and Daphne (duck) are happy together and stick together, we have upgraded their area for roaming to protect against foxes and so I’m finally thinking of getting some more company for the girls.

I’ve looked into getting chicks and ducklings but my heart aches to rescue some hens (I cannot see any rescue ducks nearby). So, my question stands: does Daphne need a friend of the duck kind? Or would she be ok with hen friends?

Or, do I leave the girls as they are- as they seem more than happy?!


Thanks in advance for any advice or stories of your own to share!

On this, a friend of mine near London recently got ex-battery farm / rescued hens and the state of them should shame the farming industry of the uk.

Rant aside, the change in these hens in a matter of days was nothing short of amazing .

 

[Lola1609]

On this, a friend of mine near London recently got ex-battery farm / rescued hens and the state of them should shame the farming industry of the uk.

Rant aside, the change in these hens in a matter of days was nothing short of amazing .

It’s truly heartbreaking to see the state they come out in. I’d love to rehome some of them and would do so in a heartbeat if not for worrying the duck might be lonely and outnumbered and need her own pal!

 

[Lola1609]

Hello, Sorry for your loss, I am no expert on this kind of situation except for having both growing up together from babies and all get along great for the most part.

My question for you would be this, How many ducks and hens do you want to have? Introducing new birds into a flock seems to always start a new set of problems until they figure out their pecking order and start to get alone with each other.

Duck and chickens are different and will go off and do their own thing, but can still live together with few issues. Your fortunate that they were both hatched together, IMO you should be fine if you don't want to add any new member to your flock.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Thank you so much for your advice. It’s nice to hear from others what the best course might be as I’m a novice to keeping these girls but just want the best for them.

I don’t want a huge flock, I would be prepared to maybe have 4-6 as that’s what space allows. It also worries me that they’ve been a small number their whole lives so, as you say about the pecking order problems, I’d hate to put too many together.

I think I will bide my time and continue looking into rescue ducks/hens and not rush in to anything. They seem pretty content to me at the moment!