Hi everyone. I have had chickens for 11 years now and my daughter is really pushing to get a couple or 3 ducks. I have never done ducks. We are in the process of moving and will be converting a large shed into our goat and chicken house.
Can ducks live in the coop with chickens? Would they lay their eggs in the nest boxes if they are down low and would they need their own little sleeping quarters in the coop? Obviously they don't perch.
Also what is a nice, quiet breed that mixes well with chickens? I have heard that Khaki Campbells are a good choice as they don't require as much water as other breeds. I won't have room for a lot of water, so I am not sure this is even doable and I don't want to get the ducks unless I can provide a good environment for them.
I will be reading this forum as much as possible, but there is a lot to sort through and my time is limited with all the remodeling we are doing. I need to decide this now prior to remodeling the shed so I can be sure I add in duck accommodations if necessary. This will most likely be our last coop project so I want to be sure I get all my wants in this remodel and include a small duck house if this is doable.
Also what do you do about water in the winter? I won't have room in the coop for a large tub of water and don't want that much humidity in my coop anyway. We also get snow, but my DH usually will go out and run the snow blower through their pen for them.
Any suggestions or thoughts on these duck matters is gratefully received.
Can ducks live in the coop with chickens? Would they lay their eggs in the nest boxes if they are down low and would they need their own little sleeping quarters in the coop? Obviously they don't perch.
Also what is a nice, quiet breed that mixes well with chickens? I have heard that Khaki Campbells are a good choice as they don't require as much water as other breeds. I won't have room for a lot of water, so I am not sure this is even doable and I don't want to get the ducks unless I can provide a good environment for them.
I will be reading this forum as much as possible, but there is a lot to sort through and my time is limited with all the remodeling we are doing. I need to decide this now prior to remodeling the shed so I can be sure I add in duck accommodations if necessary. This will most likely be our last coop project so I want to be sure I get all my wants in this remodel and include a small duck house if this is doable.
Also what do you do about water in the winter? I won't have room in the coop for a large tub of water and don't want that much humidity in my coop anyway. We also get snow, but my DH usually will go out and run the snow blower through their pen for them.
Any suggestions or thoughts on these duck matters is gratefully received.