Raising Ducks with Chickens

[GeneralSV]

Currently, I have some chickens, mainly hens. I am planning to get some ducks, hopefully males. I was wondering if I were to keep them together will the male duck try to breed with the hen? If so, will the eggs be fertilized? I don't want them to breed but I do want them to co-home together.

 

[Kessel23]

Definitely a big nope.

 

[Squishychicken]

Some people are successful with housing chickens and ducks together but my Male was raised with chickens so he thinks the hens are his ladies. Wheh il supervised free ranging the Male will chase after the hens trying to pin them down. Ducks and chickens have diffrent reproductive systems. Yes they will attempt to breed but no the eggs wont be fertile. The duck could even hurt the chicken so I would suggest keeping them separate. But really it just depends some ducks stay away from the chickens and co-exsist in harmony. My ducks wouldnt be able to do that some could maybe. Theres also the fact that ducks cant roost or fly well so getting up a coop ramp is nearly impossible. It would have to be a grounded coop. Ducks also dont roost unless you get muscovies. So while the chickens roost the ducks are on the ground and getting pooped on at night

 

[Squishychicken]

Also ducks are messy and dont scrtacy the ground so the pop just sits there mixing with all that water that ducks spill everywhere... it would kinda be nice to have them together ilimonate 2 coops and the chickens would till the ground preventing as much mess if the ducks were alone. But I eouldnt put them togther

 

[Kessel23]

Mallard derived drakes will rape chicken hens and can even kill them when they are forced to live together. Free ranging together will work out alright most of the time. Some drakes can be kept with chickens if they have duck hens to breed. Drakes with no duck hens will destroy your chicken hens. Especially if you have multiple drakes. I would not even recommend keeping 1 drake with them though.

 

[Roo5]

Doesn’t happen often, but a very hormonal drake without hens, will rape anything, regardless of gender, even if it’s gender less, do not get all male ducks.I have never had a drake rape or even show interest in hens.As long as you keep duck hens, they should stick to duck hens.And no, chickens and ducks do not interbreed like that, if they do breed, the hen will die.

 

[GeneralSV]

I choose male ducks because I heard they don't make as much noise as female ducks. We had roosters once and received a letter of complaint twice about them so if they complain about roosters I don't know about female ducks.

 

[Roo5]

Muscovy ducks don’t quack at all,

I choose male ducks because I heard they don't make as much noise as female ducks. We had roosters once and received a letter of complaint twice about them so if they complain about roosters I don't know about female ducks.

the females are silent for the most part, they would be your best route, all males is gonna be a horrible decision.