JustCallMeMaple
Songster
I have mixed flock of 15 chickens in a oversized run with a duck house (prefab tractor supply I used as my chick transition house before going into the big girl house). I had 5 ducks but males were made into dinner (I won't keep a male duck with chickens they breed by inserting corkscrew penises into the female and it would destroy a chicken, that and drakes will drown chickens in water trying to breed). I have 2 pekin girls and 1 khaki campbell (was 4 pekin but yeah see above) they are delightful. The pekin are loud ducks but bigger to snuggle and hug/cuddle. My Khaki is an odd one she gets cuddled and rather enjoys being on her back cradled in my arms like a baby and getting rubbed and loved on. Would not say it's typical Khaki behavior as I've read they are flighty birds but mine is just a sweet love.
They are ALL about routine. I kid you not routine to the point that they walk a lap up the run to go to bed at night (early on when learning I carefully herded them in and now they do it without me herding but do the routine every day). They get excited to see me and will call to me every single time they see me. Pekin are loud and they can be heard from a ways away but they're very social and will bob their heads, chatter and wag their tails (Khaki does it too in miniature). Size wise they are very different and because there is ample space and were raised with the chickens from a young age they have understandings. Ducks can push chickens out of the way at a moments notice if they want but they generally don't often and it's not aggressive nipping just a tiny nibble on the chickens who move over a step. They will lay next to each one another (chickens/ducks they don't care it's getting chilly so it's warm).
Ducks need to be able to dip their beaks/heads to clear their nostrils out it's not an optional thing it's necessary for their health. They need more niacin generally than chickens. I transitioned to an all flock and give free offer oyster shell, grit and give a lot of treats and goodies with my scraps. My ducks are fond of greens leaf veggies (spinach, lettuce etc) and all go crazy for worms especially my Khaki campbell, I say 'num num' and she's looking at me like a hawk spying prey seeing if I have her favorite 'num num' dangling in my fingers.. lol.
My ducks are not laying yet they are 18wks however Khaki's should be good layers even though she's maybe 4.5lbs to the Pekin 8lbs.. My Khaki can fly if she wants to, but she's bonded to pekin that are very bad at flying (too heavy to really fly) so I'm not overly concerned. The ducks are great at watching for predators and if they don't call out the hawk is nearby the local crows will for them.
They are ALL about routine. I kid you not routine to the point that they walk a lap up the run to go to bed at night (early on when learning I carefully herded them in and now they do it without me herding but do the routine every day). They get excited to see me and will call to me every single time they see me. Pekin are loud and they can be heard from a ways away but they're very social and will bob their heads, chatter and wag their tails (Khaki does it too in miniature). Size wise they are very different and because there is ample space and were raised with the chickens from a young age they have understandings. Ducks can push chickens out of the way at a moments notice if they want but they generally don't often and it's not aggressive nipping just a tiny nibble on the chickens who move over a step. They will lay next to each one another (chickens/ducks they don't care it's getting chilly so it's warm).
Ducks need to be able to dip their beaks/heads to clear their nostrils out it's not an optional thing it's necessary for their health. They need more niacin generally than chickens. I transitioned to an all flock and give free offer oyster shell, grit and give a lot of treats and goodies with my scraps. My ducks are fond of greens leaf veggies (spinach, lettuce etc) and all go crazy for worms especially my Khaki campbell, I say 'num num' and she's looking at me like a hawk spying prey seeing if I have her favorite 'num num' dangling in my fingers.. lol.
My ducks are not laying yet they are 18wks however Khaki's should be good layers even though she's maybe 4.5lbs to the Pekin 8lbs.. My Khaki can fly if she wants to, but she's bonded to pekin that are very bad at flying (too heavy to really fly) so I'm not overly concerned. The ducks are great at watching for predators and if they don't call out the hawk is nearby the local crows will for them.
