Mixing Ducks with Chickens

[jackhorn01]

Also I'm talking about a very small group of ducks like 2-4. Prolly will stay just 2 just because we like them. Not like a large flock or anything.

 

[Marty1876]

If you brood them together, allow lots of space (feet, not inches) between the water and the food and under light area. If the water is further away, fewer chicks will get wet. Also, keep light away from water, so the ducklings won't be tempted to play all day in the water. Just 20 hours or so. LOL.

 

[Marty1876]

Opps, I meant in the fence not in the hen house lol. I have a bad habit of calling my whole set up the coop. I have a roomy building converted into my hen house and the run will be far larger than the standard 10 sq feet per bird. Like its gonna be big. What I meant by water inside the coop was in the far back corner of the run "outside" the shelter/henhouse/coop. With the ai comments, all I have been reading was the main cause of it was wild birds in teh ducks food/water. I was wondering with a set up large enough for them not to have to leave it, if that would reduce the risk since they won't have contact with the wild birds.

I think with only two or three ducks, and loads of outside space, you'll be just fine.

I say go for it, you've got a reasonable plan and it will work for the few ducks your actually planning to keep. I know one single duck can act just like everyone else, if reared togather. Two ducks, and they know they are different, but if all reared togather, it should mostly work out.

 

[TheMoncktons]

We don't put any play water anywhere near the pens. Even a 2" dish for drinking becomes a paddle pool. The smell of their poo, mixed with bluegrass hay and water can be smelt up to 5 metres away. We fill a kiddie pool on the other side of the yard (50metres away) and they race each other to get there each morning for a swim. They only visit there once or twice during the day for no more than 5 minutes at a time, then they are off chasing bugs etc. We then empty the pool after they go to bed.

 

[TheeMrWright]

Needing help! I have 2 Rouen ducks one hen and one drake, and 11 chickens all housed together in the coop and run. They free range all day. Yesterday I noticed my 4 month old Rouen hen cornering and pulling at the neck/feathers of my smaller chickens. I have noticed my drake doing the same to the hen( mating ritual) but what I'm wondering is how I stop her from "attacking my chickens?! Please help

 

[Deleted member 94844]

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