Mandarin duck with chickens?

[mikeingeorgia]

I'm looking for opinions on whether or not I could keep a Mandarin duck with some chickens. I have 1 RIR rooster, 3 RIR hens and an additional mixed hen. The only reason I want the duck is because it looks REALLY nice. Would it be able to get along with the chickens? Would it eat the same food? I believe it's just the drake that is really colorful? Would it need a pool? If it's compatible, where in GA would I start looking for 1? Thanks, Mike

 

[hcppam]

yes the duck will get along with the chickens, I have 2 ducks that hang with there favorite chickens . The duck you might find at a feed store, craigslist or here. yes more or less they eat the same food. a small wadding pool with a safety ramp, so the chickens don't get in and drowned. Hope that helps.

 

[hcppam]

one more thing...they are messy,,,be ready.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Mandarins are an exotic duck and very very small. I would never put mine with the chickens. The rooster could injur or kill it. They are social so having just one is not fair to the duck. They can not free range as they will fly away. They need different feed from the chickens, game bird feed. Yes a pool would be needed so they can bath, fresh drinking water at all times deep enough so they can put their entire face in it. My mandarin is not as messy as my large ducks, but is not a pet either. Pretty to look at, but prefers to not be messed with.

 

[lovin my birds]

I agre completely with FLChickens. They cannot go in with the chickens. At full weight a male will only weigh about 15 to 18 ounces. A full grown rooster can be 8 Lbs the hens 6lbs. They are not compatable at all. I know they are beautiful but unfortunately not like just a barnyard duck (as I call them) lol! They need a covered run, the eat game bird feed, and they dont stay in just a regular coop. I have a small coop in my pen for my mandarins for when the weather is bad but they dont use it one bit. It is still crystal clean. The only thing that is used is the nest box for the female. Also they fly very very well so they need a nice covered run with plenty of shade and though it is not necessary mine are much more comfortable when I made their pen more like their natural habbitat.

 

[boykin2010]

you could always choose a bigger breed if you still want ducks. My 2 pekin ducks get along great with my chickens. Where are you at in Ga? I usually get my ducks and chickens from the livestock auction

 

[toejam]

Quote:

basically everthimg I was gonna say. Chickens and exotic duck don't mix at all. If the rooster didn't end up killin them, he may keep them from breeding. If you want them build a new covered pen. All you need for a pond is a kiddie pool for a pair or 2. They need about a 10X10 area PER pair. I always say build it bigger due since they are addictive

 

[SweetLittleChicks]

Mandarins are an exotic duck and very very small. I would never put mine with the chickens. The rooster could injur or kill it. They are social so having just one is not fair to the duck. They can not free range as they will fly away. They need different feed from the chickens, game bird feed. Yes a pool would be needed so they can bath, fresh drinking water at all times deep enough so they can put their entire face in it. My mandarin is not as messy as my large ducks, but is not a pet either. Pretty to look at, but prefers to not be messed with.

No the mandrins ducks are not extoic i got mine from mc murray hatchery and they will not fly IF you clip there wings and mine gets along with the chickens and his 2 welsh harquin duck girlfriends so yeah. and mine free ranges and nothing bad happens so

 

[brooster88]

No the mandrins ducks are not extoic i got mine from mc murray hatchery and they will not fly IF you clip there wings and mine gets along with the chickens and his 2 welsh harquin duck girlfriends so yeah. and mine free ranges and nothing bad happens so

You have your mandarins free range? Out in the open? Can you tell me more? I am wanting to do this as well, they are clipped, i have a pair of mandarins I just brought home who were born in April. and I have 7 wyandottes 1 too/ 6 hens and 2 Pekins 1 Drake/.1 hen who all free range. Also, 2 speckled sussex who are still in a brooder but will join the rest in the coming months. I have a large pond 1/4 acre that is fenced in on my property and inside the fence is also the coop and run..how were you able to free range your mandarins safely?