So can ducks really live with chickens?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

First off, sorry if I put this thread in the wrong section, I didn't really know where to put it...

I currently have a flock of 9 hens (actually 6 are only 10wks), and adding a duck or two to my flock has always been a little tempting to me... But before I buy any ducklings, I want to make sure that me, my hens, and the ducks would be happy with that addition. To start off, I think explaining my coop and run setup is important. My run is 301.438 total sq ft, with 6ft tall walls. The run floor is all dirt, and rocky dirt at that. I have never had a problem with mud in my run, even right after the snow melts in the spring, so my soil must drain well. Under my supervision, my chickens are often let out into an extension of the run so that they can eat the grass and bugs, but the walls are only 3-4ft or so, will a duck fly over that? My raised coop is 5x5ft, give or take. If I got ducks, I would make a "coop" for them underneath my raised coop, since ducks don't like going up to sleep. I will post pictures to give you guys a visual. I have a hose that can reach my run to fill up a pool of water for them. I feel like I am leaving out info, so if you guys have any questions about my setup or flock, just ask.

To show just how stupid I am on the subject of ducks, here's what I know: no drakes, they could kill my hens, provide a pool for the ducks to swim, have a coop in the ground for them to sleep and lay eggs in.

Here are my biggest questions:

• Will my set-up cater well to ducks?
• Do ducks need to eat food mixed in water?
• Can they eat the same food as the chickens, and out of the same pvc pipe style feeder?
• Do they need to swim? (to clean themselves)
• Will they get along with the chickens? I don't have any aggressive chickens breeds.
• What breed(s) should I get? I want friendly ducks first and foremost, good layers are a close second.
• How dirty are ducks really?
• What are the biggest differences between ducks and chickens?
• Can they fly? Will they fly out of the run?
• What does a duck coop need?

Here is the whole run:

Here is the chicken coop. The space right under it would be where I build the duck coop. The space is tall enough for my biggest hens to easily walk under there.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ducks are very messy. They need the water changed daily, and their poop is watery. They can make everything wet, and smelly. Mallard based breeds want to be in the water most of the day. Muscovy fly, and like to forage. You set up looks a bit too small to me to add ducks and have them be enjoyable. It would be better to make their own set up with a pool and a proper house, and more room.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Ducks are very messy. They need the water changed daily, and their poop is watery. They can make everything wet, and smelly. Mallard based breeds want to be in the water most of the day. Muscovy fly, and like to forage. You set up looks a bit too small to me to add ducks and have them be enjoyable. It would be better to make their own set up with a pool and a proper house, and more room.

good to know. Maybe ducks just aren't for me...

 

[FrostRanger]

Ducks are messy, the biggest concerns with mixing ducks and chickens are the amount of moisture they add which is bad for chickens and the fact that a drake can kill a chicken hen if he tries to mate her. That's not to say that you can't keep ducks with chickens, but if you try it only get femalesand make sure there's more than enough room for everyone

As for diet, they can all eat all flock, you just might want to sprinkle brewer's yeast in for the ducks

I do agree that you're better off with separate setups though, you and your birds will be happier that way

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

good to know. Maybe ducks just aren't for me...

Ducks are definitely more work to keep, but can be nice pets if the set up is right. It's good you are doing some research before you decide if they are right for you. Housing can be more simple for ducks, and they can be long lived. I've seen nice set ups with a dog house and a picket fence, along with a kiddie pool. If you can handle the constant water changes, and the need to perhaps manage some mud they can make great additions.