Topic of the Week - Integrating ducks

[Miss Lydia]

That should be interesting,just remember she'll take them lil chicks to water which will not be a good idea. [for swimming]

Keep us updated on this adventure.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

That should be interesting,just remember she'll take them lil chicks to water which will not be a good idea. [for swimming]

Keep us updated on this adventure.

There could be other problems. For example, scovies and chickens speak different "languages", the chicks might not understand their mother's sounds.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They'll bond with her because that is the first thing they will see. I've seen on here Chickens hatch Muscovies and it looked to be working out.

 

[chickens really]

Yep, we are not Ducks either and Ducklings human imprint..They imprint to the first living thing they see...

 

[TominWa]

Ten days ago brought three Muscovy into the mix. Seven hens. The head hen wasn't too happy for a day. That was about it. I kept the Muscovy, Daryl, Carol, and Beth...pened up for three days and let them out. One big happy flock. The ducks do what they do and the hens do what they do and they all mix together at treat time.

On day 6 the ducks tried to follow the hens into their coup. The chickens weren't having it and they trotted back out and into their house.

I am amazed at how well it went. They all march in and out of the houses all day, rest together and the such. I haven't seen one bit of fighting, pecking, dominance, anything. The hens roam the whole 1/2 acre the ducks just seem to want to hang around by their pen and swimming pool and nap a lot.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Well, yes. I mean I'm getting REAL ducks! I can't wait to hear some quacking in my backyard.

But I didn't think integrating new ducks would be one of those "difference" areas, because I thought it would be pretty similar over the entire poultry world.

I think you mean ducks from the mallard line, because muscovys are real ducks.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

It has always been really easy for me introducing ducks and chickens they don't seem to care about each other very much. Pecking order is sorted out in 5 minutes or so. The ducks don't like sharing food and water with the chickens and kinda shew them away. Introducing chickens to chickens seems 10 times harder.
I have a broody muscovy sitting on 8 chicken eggs so that's going to be quite an experience.
I didn't put the eggs under her she stole them.

What kind of set up do you have? Free range?

 

[Skipper81]

No I don't have free range yet it's been too cold here in Montana I have 5 heated coops right now and do alot if swapping chickens into different coops as I get more. Chicken math has got me good. Lol

 

[Skipper81]

That should be interesting,just remember she'll take them lil chicks to water which will not be a good idea. [for swimming]

Keep us updated on this adventure.

At this point I have to keep my muscovies in a coop and run I haven't clipped there wings and they take off for a few days when they are free ranged.
She has a broody barred rock sitting on the nest with her I've never seen such a thing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She may not take to having a chicken with her once hatching begins boy my Muscovies can be brutal when they have babies so maybe right before hatch give Barred rock some eggs of her own to hatch in another location? Just to keep her safe. You'll also want to make sure mama scovy and her new babes will be safe from the other ducks.