When to put ducklings out?

[TSOWOATNKC]

Do you have any drakes? The sooner drakes are separated from chicken hens the better in my view. Drakes are pretty rough mating ducks, they could kill or permanently maim a chicken hen. If they're all female separation isn't absolutely on the horizon, so you could just watch. Although ducks have been known to "mate" in the absence of a drake.

 

[MadisonOde]

Nope, all girls! So should I wait for the ducks to get bigger or just put them together now?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I personally would wait. I personally don't like chickens a whole lot, so I don't trust them much with little chicks or ducklings. I've seen how my chickens treated ducklings and chicks, it wasn't very nice. They were ambivalent to the goslings, but that is probably because they were basically the same size as the chickens by the time the goslings were introduced. The geese would give them a good nip, and the chickens would hop/run along.

Edit to add; I initially had 12 chickens; 6 Rhode Island Red Pullets I sold for $125, then another 6 Buff Orps+12 chicken coop that I sold for a piano professionally delivered +$250 (best deal EVER). I never plan to have chickens again, I really don't like them other than on my plate.

 

[MadisonOde]

Ok, how long do you think I should wait? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I am doing everything right.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I wait until 5 weeks, but before that they are in the same yard/run with supervision during the day and housed separately at night.

 

[MadisonOde]

So I can put them in the run with the chickens while being watched, but not at night?

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Your chickens could be nice to your ducklings, and everything goes beautifully. I would put a temporary separation so they can "play" parallel while getting to know each other.

 

[MadisonOde]

Ok, thanks!

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Ultimately chickens are chickens and ducks are ducks. The chances of them being buddies is pretty low. The goal is that they don't want to kill each other. The ducklings are at a significant disadvantage at the moment. Once they're fully grown the chickens defensive tools are offset by the ducks larger size so it is a fairer match so to speak.

If you could house them separately that would be good. I personally wouldn't put ducklings out at 3 weeks just because they are basically still babies and have some development ahead and need a closer eye in my view. But, I'm also one of those kooky "attachment parenting" mothers too; so take my advice with that in mind.

 

[MadisonOde]

Another question, sorry. So I have the ducks in a sectioned off space in the run. The chickens cannot get it. If I build them a sort of box shelter that they can go under at night and when it rains, would they be ok staying in the sectioned off piece? The lowest it gets is 60 at night, but theyve been without a heat lamp for a few days because they get too hot. The run is predator proof. I'm thinking that they should probably still sleep in the brooder in the garage, but I just kind of feel bad and want them to have a bigger space.