New to ducks

[Nevaschickens]

Hello all! I have 12 chickens. They are a breeze. I have been thinking about possibly getting a few ducklings. What's required and are they easy to take care of? Will they get a long with the chickens? I'm sure I'll more questions along the way.

Thanks in advance.

 

[TLWR]

Ducks are just as easy to care for as chickens. Other that more water maintenance and providing a place to swim or at least dunk their heads. But ducks really are happy with water to swim in, so try to find a way to make that happen, even if it is just with small bins.
Ducks make a mess of their water.

I have a duck house and a chicken house. Both are hosed out each morning. I hosed out the water dish in the duck house and refill. The chicken house gets water refilled as necessary - but daily change out isn't needed.
They both eat the same food.
They both free range the same yard.
They both lay eggs in their house.


I do house mine separately.
They free range together though.

 

[buzzy bee]

Hello Nevaschickens I'm in the same boat as you, we have 9 chickens n there great n easy to look after we also are interested in getting some ducks, if I find out any relevant info I'll keep u posted!

 

[Going Quackers]

Main things is the mess.. ducks love mud and must have water not only to swim, but deep enough to clean nares and in order to eat, i don't house my chickens and ducks together BUT my standard hens do free range and tend to hang out around the ducks.. trash the barn lol and what not.

As well caution with drakes they are known to go after hens in a "friendly" way and they are not compatible so be watchful with that, my drakes don't go near my hens but i have heard enough stories that have not gone so well.

Ducks are great to have, good foragers, super hardy and so forth.. they do grow much faster than chicks though so brooding housing does have to be upgraded faster.

This sticky will help in the basic care of raising ducklings.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711