Mixed Flock Question

[416bigbore]

Knowing it's bad to have a Drake in with chickens because he could possibly hurt the hens by trying to mate with them, what about a Rooster in with ducks? I was wondering if the Rooster would be mean to the ducks figuring he was protecting his hens?

 

[Shadrach]

Knowing it's bad to have a Drake in with chickens because he could possibly hurt the hens by trying to mate with them, what about a Rooster in with ducks? I was wondering if the Rooster would be mean to the ducks figuring he was protecting his hens?

It rather depends on the keeping arrangements. Confined, maybe not such a good idea. Free range, if the rooster will roost with the ducks it would probably work.
I've had ducks sit on eggs in occupied chicken coops and there weren't any problems. But, these were free range creatures.

 

[416bigbore]

Chewy is the newest member to our small mixed flock. We started our small flock this spring with four sexed Isa Brown chicks, two small Mallard hens ducklings and ten Rouen/Pekin mix ducklings. Still all together and will separate our four Drakes before this next spring to help reduce any mating issues because our ratio is off.

Chewy is a Brahma mixed Cockerel and about 3-1/2 months old now and I have been slowly trying to interduce him into the flock. Our four hens want nothing to do with him now and will chase him around out free ranging. Luckily he is quick enough and they can't catch him. LOL I don't dare leave him locked up in the Coop with the girls, they still have fire in their eyes when they look at him! LOL

I have noticed Chewy will chase some of the ducks a little and will quit, nothing aggressive. I was curious if this will stop when he gets older or maybe worse because of the hens being in with the ducks?

New to having a little Roo in the picture and was hoping he will be ok being around the others without any aggressive behavior towards the ducks.

 

[JCaseyHammond]

Hi! When I open up their coops in the afternoon and everyone is ranging, I do see odd stuff like the rooster on the drake. Yesterday a duck and hen got into an argument but it never lasts long or I break it up. If someone persists in being argumentative they may go to the auction.

 

[416bigbore]

Hi! When I open up their coops in the afternoon and everyone is ranging, I do see odd stuff like the rooster on the drake. Yesterday a duck and hen got into an argument but it never lasts long or I break it up. If someone persists in being argumentative they may go to the auction.

Hello, One thing I have stated to do is feed the ducks separate from our chickens. Even though our four hens are super friendly, they like to be pigs at the fresh feed dish I set out and will peck at the ducks who are trying to get some food.

I have dry feed out 24-7 and will feed FF two times a day on top of free ranging, so there is no food shortage for any of them to be fighting over. It makes me so to see the chickens peck at the ducks this way, so I started to feed them separate. I know the ducks don't mind eating without the chickens in the picture. LOL

I do understand there is a pecking order in the flock and It would be so much easier if they could all get along being together in one large area over my having to divide it up into separate coops.

 

[JCaseyHammond]

Hello, One thing I have stated to do is feed the ducks separate from our chickens. Even though our four hens are super friendly, they like to be pigs at the fresh feed dish I set out and will peck at the ducks who are trying to get some food.

I have dry feed out 24-7 and will feed FF two times a day on top of free ranging, so there is no food shortage for any of them to be fighting over. It makes me so to see the chickens peck at the ducks this way, so I started to feed them separate. I know the ducks don't mind eating without the chickens in the picture. LOL

I do understand there is a pecking order in the flock and It would be so much easier if they could all get along being together in one large area over my having to divide it up into separate coops.

Interesting! Maybe I’ll feed the ducks separately. They are big Muscovies and push my chickens away from their food. It’s Purina duck pellets soaked in water. The chickens gobble the duck food and choke on it. I’ve got to find a different way to feed them.

 

[JCaseyHammond]

Interesting! Maybe I’ll feed the ducks separately. They are big Muscovies and push my chickens away from their food. It’s Purina duck pellets soaked in water. The chickens gobble the duck food and choke on it. I’ve got to find a different way to feed them.

What type of food is FF?

 

[416bigbore]

What type of food is FF?

Fermented feed, I mix a variety of whole grain that I buy for cheap from local farmers in #50 bags. I use a hand mill to lightly crack the kernels before soaking and then before I feed it, I will add extra vitamins and minerals to it. They all seem to love it and have been doing great with it.

 

[Trisseh]

I always find it interesting in mixed flocks where the chickens are the dominant species. My chickens don’t bother the ducks at all, they coexist well and it’s the ducks that poke at the chickens if they don’t want them near, and that’s only occasionally. Even my macho cockerel stays out of the ducks’ way. Lol. I don’t know if it’s because the ducks were here first?

I did switch all of my birds onto a grower so they can all eat the same thing and eliminate the need to have multiple feeds for different groups, since I have so many different ages and sexes between the 2 species. And I have a lot of feeding “stations” set up, so even if someone is run off of one, they can just move on to the next.

My ducklings grew up with the chicks so I’m sure that helps too!

if your cockerel is just protecting his resources but not terrorizing the ducks or doing damage, I don’t know that I would be too worried. Something to monitor.

 

[416bigbore]

@Trisseh Ours all grew up together as week old chicks and ducklings and for the most part we have been very fortunate and everyone has been getting along together. It just started recently noticing that the chickens will sometimes peck at the ducks while eating all together from the same dish. I have tried multiple feed dishes and with four chicken and one standing guard at each dish was getting to much trouble, so I started separating them at feeding time.

During the day there is no issues because the ducks go off and do their own thing and the chickens the same. I just feel bad for the ducks because the chickens peck at them quit hard and I fear may hurt one because of it. So that's why I started to feed them separately.

Our two small Mallard hens are the matriarch's of our flock and very dominate over the whole flock. I have seem them jump up and grab a hen by the neck feathers and hang on just after being pecked at. Kind of funny to see happen from such a small duck half the size of the chickens.

Yes I agree, I do keep an eye on little Chewy when he is out with everyone. Once he is more their size I am sure he will be fine, just as long as he don't decide to keep after the ducks.

Chewy is a friendly little guy to handle and I hope he continues to stay that way, I guess time will tell, never a dull moment for sure. LOL