Where to keep a duck

[Stacyoung13]

I was are the feed store today, and they had the cutest little Pekin ducklings. I wanted one, husband asked where to keep it. Can I keep it with my chickens if I get one? Will it go in at night? Never had a duck, wanna learn before getting one.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You should have more than one for company. They should have their own pen as ducks can be messy with water. Sometimes drakes will try to mate chicken hens if there aren't any duck hens.

 

[duckduckgose]

yes you can keep it with your chickens when its older might want to upgrade your water tray also how old are the ducklings as you might want to in vest in a brooder espechly if your only getting one duckling, other wise ducks are great pets

 

[llombardo]

I wouldn't keep the ducks with the chickens once they are bigger. I did keep them together as babies.

They require different housing, more ventilation, and more water --lots more water. They probably will not climb a ramp to get into a coop if it's a higher coop.

Their pens are connected, but split. They see each other all the time. The male duck and rooster do not necessarily get along well enough that I would trust it. The male duck did try to mate with a female chicken once.

 

[tinakevin]

I have 2 ducks. They have no problem climbing the ramp to go in at night and yes they put themselves in. Ducks themselves are not messy that I found. It’s all that water. Gets everywhere

 

[strawberricatt]

If you do get ducks, get more then one, three is best. They can live with chickens, but I would recommend nipple waterers for your chickens, and that way the ducks can't get the hen's water dirty. Ducks don't NEED a pond, but a few slightly deeper/larger dishes will work well. All that they really need is a dish deep enough for them to clear their nostrils.
It is a controversial topic among duck keepers, but ducks can in fact eat chicken/layer pellets, with no issues.
Will add more later, have got somewhere to go right now.

 

[NoFlyBackFarm]

Three is a good number!

 

[Stacyoung13]

Tthanks for all the info. My coops door Is only about 6 inches from ground. Already have nipple system. And a brooder box, i have a baby pool. I have a couple hens that like to stand in water during summer.

 

[Stacyoung13]

How can you tell male from female? Can you sex them that young? Which would be better. Male or female?

 

[Scorpy89]

Females are noisier the Males, but they lay eggs.
The reason you don't want drakes(male Ducks) mating your Chicken hens is the male part can rip and tear the hens vent. Roosters part can not reach into the Duck hen.
Like Chickens you can sex them as hatchlings to a day or two. After that it's a waiting game.
You can have all male ducks, But if you have a female you need 2 girls to 1 boy or you might end up with over mating problems with the girls. I'm not just talking about the drake hurting her, she'll isolate herself and won't eat or drink and will stressed. This can happen with chickens too. But unless the person selling them knows it's a guessing/waiting game.