Separate brooders?

[Thedogsbark]

I wasn't sure if I should put this under ducks or chickens, so I apologize if this isn't the right area. Anyway, we have two Blue Swedish ducks coming on May 3rd. Our new chicks will be about 3-4 weeks when the ducklings arrive. I was thinking it would be wiser to get a separate brooder for the ducks. Obviously the chicks won't need as high of a brooder temperature as the ducks since the chicks will be older. Though one half of the brooder has no light whatsoever so I suppose if the chicks get too hot they can just move. Something else I was thinking about was protein in feed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't chicks need less protein as they get older? I'm not sure if you have to give them lower protein or not, but I figured I might as well as the chicks aged. There isn't waterfowl feed at any of the feed stores near me, so I had planned on just giving them chick starter. What percentage of protein do ducklings need and for how long? The chick feed I believe is 19% protein. I also don't want the chicks to pick at the ducks. I'm not sure how small the ducks will be compared to the chicks since the chicks are bantams. My main concern with two separate brooders is that they will be less likely to get along when they go outside. The plan is to have them together in the run/coop once they're all old enough to move outside. So would them sharing the same brooder be alright?

 

[redsoxs]

I agree with the separate brooder idea - but here's a link to cooping different species together: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-keep-different-poultry-types-living-together-in-one-coop Once they are outside I don't there will be an issue about them getting along. My chickens and ducks always just seem to ignore each other.
And yes, baby chicks normally start with an 18% or so grower ration and transfer to a 16% or so when they begin to lay - at least that's what my bags of feed say.

 

[DancingWthDucks]

I also think that having a second brooder is a good idea- ducklings are quite a bit messier than chicks, plus they have different needs.

I'm sure that they will get along just fine outside. I used to keep my chickens and ducks in the same area and they just ignored each other, and they weren't even reared together.

Check the chick crumb label to make sure that the feed isn't medicated, which can kill ducklings since they eat a lot more than chicks, and therefore overdose on the medication. I'd also recommend adding 1tbs of BREWERS yeast per scoop of crumb (available at health food stores or from Amazon) because duckling require more Niacin to grow properly, over wise they will have issues.

Best of luck with your ducklings,
Charlotte

 

[chickens really]

I never Brood Chicks and Ducklings together....I put all my Chicks on medicated starter and my Ducklings on Duckling starter....Ducklings are extremely messy with water and need to dunk their heads to keep their eyes and nares clear...Chicks need to be dry....Also my Ducks hate my Chickens..........

Best wishes.....


Cheers!