kellygreaseball Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hia, We are thinking about getting some ducks to join our chickens. Could you give us some advice? Or are ducks and chickens out together a really bad idea? Please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeking Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Hi Firsty you need to consider where you are keeping them are the gonna be caged up all day together of let out every day? Ducks need a pond or a jug of deepish water for them to wash there eyes. Care needs to be taken so your chucks dont drown. If they are cooped up all day there will be plenty of mess because ducks are not as clean as the chucks also points to consider is what you are gonna put on the ground ie bark chippings stones gravel etc. Chucks love bark chippings as they can scrummage around but the ducks will soon foul them up so gravel, paving or concrete is better for ducks. We are also in a dilema as to to get some as well. apart from all that they are fine together. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 A point for consideration is that drakes may upset the hens with their unwanted amorous attentions. I'd be inclined to stick to females. Welcome to the forum Seeking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 I have a duck and a drake that are 20 weeks old (I hatched them) and they are out in the garden with 13 (at the moment ) chickens. They all get along fine. They were all in the same run together until a few weeks ago but the ducks were making such a mess chucking the water about and the run floor was soaking, so I've put them out onto the stones in their own eglu and this is working much better. They have a blue plastic sand pit/paddling pool filled with water and are in and out all day, especially Mima -she loves it. Mac, the young drake, has become a bit territorial and started charging at my feet and nibbling my ankles trying to chase me away, so I've had to get a bit tough with him, shoving him away with a brush/foot etc. - I'm still deciding whether he's staying or not . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellygreaseball Posted March 19, 2008 Author Share Posted March 19, 2008 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...