4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[ChrisEllis]

Hi,

 

I have just recenlty hatched some frizzle eggs, i was thinking of getting some polish eggs and also maybe 3 india runners...can anyone give me some advice and info if ducks can be incubated with chickens, can they be put in the brooder with chickens, and can they live with chickens...also do they just live in the sme coop as the chickens?

Sorry for the trouble...just dont know much about ducks and chickens togehter

[Lesley]

I've never tried but I can tell you that the little ducklings we've just hatched are very different to little chickies - they are bigger and stronger. They learned to eat and drink much quicker then chicks, they were straight towards the drinker and feeder where chicks need some encouragement, although that doesn't take long either. Duck eggs take 28 days to incubate so you'd have to time it well.

 

Perhaps someone who has raised the two together may offer more advice - if not, ask on the Practical Poultry forum.

[henriette]

I have had ducks and chickens living together in perfect harmony, but separate at night time. Always had to let the chickens out first though as the ducks are much greedier! Maybe it was just mine. Until our red mite attack this year, we had the ducks, the geese and the chickens enjoying each others company during the day with no problems at all. Ducks seem to get on with everyone really. I don't know about incubation though, apart from I think the eggs have to be dampened every day. Love to know how you get on.

ps I had indian runners once and they were absolutely wonderful. Incredibly funny and very affectionate.

[ChrisEllis]

Sounds good, i might get some indian runners, incubate them for 7-8 days then stick in a few polish...i can have two seperate brooders and slowly introduce them all to eahc other, im guessing that if indian runners and polish frizzles hatch same time then they should be generally good with each other seeing as they were incubated and born together.

I have 3 frizzles already and will get 3 indian runner eggs and 3 polish eggs so my coop in the end will still have space as it holds 10 hens. unless indian runners need to be housed seperately.

 

[henriette]

That should work well. Let us know when they have hatched!