The Old Folks Home

[LFchixranch]

very nice!!

ty, hopefully it works for about 6 weeks for 15-20 birds

 

[pickitfarm]

LFchixranch - nice brooder setup. Makes me think that we need something like this. Today we have a brooder coop that we built off the side of our shed. it is rather large but those little chicks fly around pretty quick with all of the room and you cannot catch them if you want to. Right now it only has 8 Rhodebar chicks that are about 12 weeks. Thanks for sharing.

 

[chickadoodles]

LFchixranch
That is a very nice brooder! And the chicks will learn auto feeding and water right from the start! I love it!

 

[Wisher1000]

WIsher, has Mrs QUackers met anyone yet?? I there a space limitation to consider?

My ducks get along enough with the chickens.THis is how I did it. I bring the ducks out side to a little pool, let them swim, walk around, then back into pen. Repeat and increase the time outside slowly. Until one day they go in the chicken coop instead at the end of the day. I free range so every one has lots of room. My ducks mix with my chickens with no problems. (THe adult male duck does harass my turkeys though.)

She was brooded with chicks her age. They have been split up into two groups, one inside, one outside. I would rather Mrs. Quackers was with the outside group so that I can put her pool in the outside fenced in area and so she has access to the wet weather spring. What type ramp or steps will she have to have and how hard/easy will it be to teach her to go into the coop through the pop door (18" off the ground.) In her current pen, she sleeps in the pool at night.

 

[Arielle]

Quote: My muscovy rarely go into the coop with out herding. A pain. Often, my muscovy perch up high at night on top of coops and fly down in the morning. Muscovy is perching duck that roosts high, and must cope with getting up high and back down. Toes have big toe nails to assist. No experience with other ducks.Is she a muscovy? Or a different kind? Sorry I can't remember what she is.

My pop doors here are only a 4-6" jump. My thought is ducks are not as agile as chickens and a very wide and long ramp would be helpful.

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks, Arielle!

She is not a Muscovie (I thought I was going to hatch come scovies next week but the eggs were duds.)

I think she is a Swedish duck, judging from picturess I have seen. I don't know for sure because she was in a batch of mixed ducks at the feed store. They were "assorted ducks" from Ideal Hatchery.

Is there anyone else here that have Swedish or similar ducks, and that can give me some guidance?

 

[chickensnewtome]

Quote:
Ok I have three Pekins (no clue if they are similar or not) And they do great with my chickens. DO you have a portable brooder that she can fit in? Maybe a dog kennel. I would do supervised trips with her in the brooder down to the pen for a couple days then slowly let her out with you standing by in case the chickens get a little mean. I would increase the time she is in the pen until finally she can stay with them. I know Pekins dont roost so we have them some hay under the coop. Mine stands far up off the ground and that is where they sleep. You might make her a ramp to get up into the coop if you are wanting her locked up at night with the rest. GOod luck! I want to thank EVERYONE for the well wishes for my mom. She is not doing to good but I know that God has plans for her. I trust in him to do the right thing even if I may not like it at the moment.

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks! I will try that.

You and your mom are in my prayers.

 

[ronott1]

Ok I have three Pekins (no clue if they are similar or not) And they do great with my chickens. DO you have a portable brooder that she can fit in? Maybe a dog kennel. I would do supervised trips with her in the brooder down to the pen for a couple days then slowly let her out with you standing by in case the chickens get a little mean. I would increase the time she is in the pen until finally she can stay with them. I know Pekins dont roost so we have them some hay under the coop. Mine stands far up off the ground and that is where they sleep. You might make her a ramp to get up into the coop if you are wanting her locked up at night with the rest. GOod luck! I want to thank EVERYONE for the well wishes for my mom. She is not doing to good but I know that God has plans for her. I trust in him to do the right thing even if I may not like it at the moment.

One problem with mixing Ducks with chickens is that the Drake may hurt a hen if he mates her. Drakes have an appendage while Roosters do not.

 

[chickadoodles]

chickensnewtome, we will be keeping you and your mom and family in our prayers! God Bless!