Never had ducks before, advice on keeping them please!

[ChickenLove6]

Hello, I have never kept ducks before but have decided I want a couple of ducklings. My first question is can chickens live with ducks? I have five hens and 3 cockerels (2 will be rehomed soon) and another 2 chicks on there way, so can the ducks live with them or will they fight? Also if I purchased fertilised duck eggs would my hens be able to sit on the eggs and successfully raise them?
What type of duck would be most suitable for me? I live in a town but with having 3 cockerels I don't really mind having a loud duck, but the quiter the better. Thank you, Elisha.

 

[ValleyHatchery]

Chickens have pretty distinct personalities, so the nature of your flock will tell you alot about how well they would accept ducks. If they are fussy about accepting a new chicken, they may need coaching and introduction sessions to get along with the ducks. What is their habitat set up like? Will it give them room to be friendly without being cramped? Limited space can set off arguments.

As for the duck eggs, if your hen is broody, she will sit on them. Choose a hen that's reliably broody and who's accepted stranger eggs before. That will help your chances of a successful hatch.

I'm not really sure which duck would be the quietest. Good Luck on your project!

 

[ChickenLove6]

Great, thank you! My chickens are fairly good at accepting new hens so hopefully they will be the same with ducks.
I have a silkie hen who goes broody often and accepts any eggs you give her so I'll try giving her some duck eggs in the future. Thanks again!

 

[Ellaluvsbirds]

You can keep ducks with chickens. And if you buy duck eggs hens can sit on them. Here is a thread about having broody hens.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

 

[ChickenLove6]

Thankyou, that forum will come in handy!