ive got a few duck questions

[sydney13]

im considering getting a duck to live with my chickens but i have a few questions
how often during the day do ducks swim, like a few hours through out the day?
can i use chicken wormers on ducks?
do chickens and ducks spread diseases to each other even when kept clean
is it ok to feed them none medicated chick feed?
is it true that ducks don't like to go back in to the coop at night?
can i use a dog bowl for them to drink from or do they drink from their pond?
i have a small pond in my side yard but my hens would be in the fenced in backyard. would it be safe to let the duck go in to the pond when i was watching or would it wander into the street? should i get a kiddy pool for her instead?
should i have a nest box ground level for the duck or could she get a foot up to use my chicken nest boxes
and just wondering if when ducks swim do they dive under the water or just float around on top?

 

[toletiquesbysam]

My ducks live with my chickens in their coop. I provide a swimming pool in the run for them whenever it's possible but I don't during the winter months. They do need a waterer that they can dip their heads into, dog bowl would be fine. My ducks use the same nesting box as my chickens, but it's a 3 tiered one and sits on the floor so they can easily walk into it. If yours is up higher you might need a separate on just for them, but don't be surprised to find chicken eggs in it as well! My ducks eat what my chicken eat, so non medicated is correct. I don't worm mine, haven't had any issues with worms. I find mine get in the pool to bathe and then get out and rest, they are outside of the pool more than in. I love my chickens, but they rank 3rd for me, My geese 1st, ducks 2nd and chickens 3rd. I'm almost thinking of getting rid of all my chickens and having more geese & ducks! I've had alot of issues with the chickens and had zero with my ducks, they are great!

 

[MysticalMom]

Get at least 2 ducks. Ducks like to have duck company.

 

[gryeyes]

how often during the day do ducks swim, like a few hours through out the day? - Depending upon the breed, they mostly get in once or twice a day, for short periods about 15-20 minutes long.

can i use chicken wormers on ducks? - Don't know.

do chickens and ducks spread diseases to each other even when kept clean - Don't know.

is it ok to feed them none medicated chick feed? - That's the best feed for them, but you DO need to add some brewer's yeast because ducks need more niacin than chickens.

is it true that ducks don't like to go back in to the coop at night? - That's what I've read, but MINE go into my chicken coop at night with the chickens.

can i use a dog bowl for them to drink from or do they drink from their pond? - Both. I like to provide clean water for them to drink, but ducks really mess up water. And they will drink from their pond.

i have a small pond in my side yard but my hens would be in the fenced in backyard. would it be safe to let the duck go in to the pond when i was watching or would it wander into the street? - It might wander, but if you're watching it, you could head it off before it got to the street, couldn't you????

should i get a kiddy pool for her instead? - I think a kiddie pool would be better, but that's just my personal opinion. So the duck could go swimming without you having to do anything special, like escort it to the pond.

should i have a nest box ground level for the duck or could she get a foot up to use my chicken nest boxes - Ground level. And she might not even use a nest box... but just nestle into deep bedding material.

and just wondering if when ducks swim do they dive under the water or just float around on top? - Oh they LOVE diving! But they can swim under the surface in as little as 12 inches of water (kiddie pool depth). And they love floating around on top, too. But underwater swimming is one of their delights.


Good luck! I have two Cayuga ducks with all my chickens, and a kiddie pool for them. I'll be getting a much larger stock watering tank soon.

And please, get at least two ducks.