is it ok to raise ducks with chicks?

[Wifezilla]

If I had ever raised one before...yes. Since I am a clueless newbie at raising ducklings...no

They are both growing so fast it is blowing my mind. I swear every time I check on them they are bigger

 

[kycklingmamma]

We just added three Fawn and White runner ducklings to our batch of backyard fowl. We have had chickens for about a year now and just got 13 more chicks and three ducklings. We are planning on keeping the ducks with the chickens in the run, but let the ducks have their own "coop" and the chicks will be in our large coop. I have done some research on the subject and found that the biggest issue with letting them house together is that the ducks like it wet and messy and the chicken do not. I am also planning on maybe laying stones or larger pebbles around the
"pool area" so mud won't be the largest issue. We will see how it goes, but keep your fingers crossed and dive in there and get your self some ducks, they are so darned cute...not to say that babychicks aren't.

This pic was taken yesterday and the girls, Lilly, Tulip and Petunia are now two weeks old.

Kycklingmamma

 

[Wifezilla]

how freaking CUTE

 

[Laskaland]

Hello!
I learned the hard way not to brood babies together. The ducks like to be wet, and throw water all over the place, especially when they eat. The chicks get wet from the duck showering them and end up sitting in wet bedding... you get the idea.

However, mine all live together in the coop quite nicely. The ducks find each other, hang in a "gang" and don't have much to do with my chickens at all.

My newest "gang" about 4 weeks old...

Fawn/White Runner baby

My "Fatties" Rouen Boys (LOVE THEM)

 

[Wifezilla]

What a happy bunch

I have noticed that the sided of my brooder gets CAKED because they shake their heads as they eat. The other day I gave the babies some yogurt. They managed to get it all over each other and they were covered in it when I checked on them later. Chick starter, yogurt and broccoli bits....yummm!

 

[skunknchatter]

My duck thinks he's a chicken. Even caught him "scratching" one day. He was raised with my chicks because his buddy died a few days after I got them. Ducks are a lot more messy than chickens so if they live in your coop it's best to have a dirt floor or a waterproof floor because they will get water EVERYWHERE!

In the summer it's not bad cuz you can just get a little pool like others mentioned. I've never had any chickens drown. It's only 5" deep.

 

[conny63malies]

Quote:
looking at the legs of the middle chick id say it is a boy.

 

[Bock_Bock]

i am doing this as we speak the only bad thing is is when the chiks go to roost the duck is left starring up at them with its head tilted asking " why'd you leave me"

 

[Bock_Bock]

also thought i add that even tho my duckling which is a khaki cambell is 1 week younger then my chicks, the chicks look at her and follow her like their mom as they were in the same brooder together. I guess since the duck grew so much bigger they voted her MoMMA