New Backyard Chicken/Duck Keepers in Guelph ONT

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miezzi

miezzi

Chirping
5 Years
Joined
Apr 9, 2015
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
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72
Location
Guelph, Ontario
Hey Everyone,
I'm from Guelph,Ontario. Our family is new to backyard birds, but the lady at our local TSC was very knowledgeable, she directed us to this website :) We received our first order of chicks, from TSC, two weeks ago. 11 Red X and 11 New Hampshire X. The chicks are 2 weeks old now, and boy do they grow fast! We still have all 22! :) We'd like to get some 'more fun' breeds, such as Easter Eggers.

Today, we picked up 2 little Rouen Ducklings. Tried to introduce them into the chicken brooder but the chickens were pecking and biting at their feet, so they had to be separated. We sectioned off an area in the brooder for them. The chickens can see, hear and smell the ducks, but they can not attack them. We hope they will eventually get use to each other so they can eventually live in the same coop/run over the VERY cold Ontario winters. On another note, tonight is the first night we have had the ducklings, and every time I leave the room for a bit, they start looking around their brooder, chirping really loud! They are adorable and definitely my personal favorites! :) Can't wait to see if they are boys, girls, or one of each!

I live in a house in the city of Guelph, Ontario, with my mother, and my son. We have 2 big dogs, 3 cats, and a ferret.

I also run a small home daycare out of our home. This has been a terrific experience for my daycare munchkins so far! :)

Love this site! Has tons of great information! :) I look forward to learning and sharing this adventure! Wish us luck :)
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you have a nice flock! You might like to check out the Duck forum https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks most people do wind up brooding chicks/duckings separate eventually because ducks make such a mess with the water. If your ducklings wind up as males, it is also generally recommended you not keep drake ducks with chicken hens since they can hurt them trying to mate.
 
It's generally best to keep chickens and ducks cooped separately. Ducks love to splash in water bowls, and everywhere else. The are also much messier than chickens as far as poo is concerned. Chickens do not like being wet, young chicks would become chilled and ill. Duck anatomy differs in the private areas. male ducks will try to breed hens and because of the difference in breeding apparatus - a chicken hen can be severely damaged or kill by his attentions.

Free range I would imagine the groups would do okay - ducks could have their kiddie pool and chickens would avoid it but, randy Drakes could spoil the serenity.
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


Sounds like you are quite busy taking care of all kinds! Definitely stop by our Ducks section for more help with your ducklings. They will need to have their own home separate from your chickens.

Make yourself at home here and we do welcome you to our flock!
 

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