Raising ducks with chickens? How was your experience?

[Kelliejanine]

Ducks are slobs. They will eat like mad and make a huge mess. No medicated feed since they will eat more than a chicken and overdose on the medication in the feed.

We usually use old dog houses and keep the chickens separate for sleeping. Make sure the drakes have plenty of ducks or you will have other problems. I have had my chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, etc all in the same pen. Make sure there is no water in the coop at night. The ducks will make a mess of the coop pretty quick.

I was thinking of having their water outside only. Maybe a kiddie pool? Can I keep ducks without a drake?

 

[Kelsykin]

This is *not* true.

It is true in my experience.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Of course. They will need other water sources like buckets because they will poop their pool up in no time.

 

[Kelsykin]

I was thinking of having their water outside only. Maybe a kiddie pool? Can I keep ducks without a drake?

Yes, drake like roosters are really only there to fertilize the eggs and to act as a decoy with predators.

 

[casportpony]

I was thinking of having their water outside only. Maybe a kiddie pool? Can I keep ducks without a drake?

I keep ducks with chickens, but the ducks do make a mess, and I use a kiddie pool, but have to keep a close eye on it with smaller chickens because they can drown in them.

 

[casportpony]

It is true in my experience.

Read this:
Feeding Ducklings Medicated Feed - The Myths and the Truth

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but unless you had a vet confirm the illness or death was from the medication in the feed, then it's my opinion that you are spreading misinformation and perpetuating the myth.

 

[Kelsykin]

Read this:
Feeding Ducklings Medicated Feed - The Myths and the Truth

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but unless you had a vet confirm the illness or death was from the medication in the feed, then it's my opinion that you are spreading misinformation and perpetuating the myth.

My farm vet I had when I first got ducks was the one who told me never to feed the medicated feed to my ducks that is can kill them.

 

[Kelliejanine]

Would ducklings do ok in the same brooder I use for baby chicks? No chicks will be in the brooder of course lol.

 

[Kelsykin]

Would ducklings do ok in the same brooder I use for baby chicks? No chicks will be in the brooder of course lol.

Should be fine.

 

[casportpony]

My farm vet I had when I first got ducks was the one who told me never to feed the medicated feed to my ducks that is can kill them.

Read the thread, you might find it enlightening.
Feeding Ducklings Medicated Feed - The Myths and the Truth