chicken bark Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Sorry - I am sure this question gets asked all the time. Can Ducks and Chickens share the same free ranging space? I'm seriously thinking about getting some Ducks. They would have their own coop but for fox and saving garden reasons they would need to share the same FR space, although this is a large area. The breed of Ducks I am thinking about won't need a pond but will manage with a bucket type amount of water, so I'm thinking the hens would be safe with this. So I'm after advice really. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Yeah they can. Same introduction as new hens. You looking at indian runners ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 I was thinking Cayuga ducks - I think they are really lovely looking and hopefully quiet and friendly. Thanks for the advice over introductions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Yes, if you just make sure that you are able to separate them if there should be any problems. We keep ours separate but occasionally the hens escape into the ducks run and they all ignore each other and the hens stay away from the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Oh cayuga's are amazing ducks. I think they lay black eggs. Such stunning birds. Good way to go. Have you also looked at black east indies ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 18, 2010 Author Share Posted August 18, 2010 Have you also looked at black east indies ? Not yet but I will now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Good they are a sort of bantam version of the cayuga but they aren't the same breed If you understand me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Good they are a sort of bantam version of the cayuga but they aren't the same breed If you understand me. I think I get what you mean. I've had a look at some pictures and they are lovely too. I'm going to stick with trying to get some Cayuga's first. My plan is to get 3 girls and take it from there. Getting excited now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I would go for 1 drake and 3 girls if it was me. It keeps the girls calm because the can be loud. My 5 week old runner is LOUD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Keeping a boy has no benefits except for fertilised eggs, they can get very nasty and are just another (big) mouth to feed! Sharing the same run area is fine as long as they have separate housing. In the winter the area will get very muddy with chickens and 3 big ducks on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 19, 2010 Author Share Posted August 19, 2010 Thanks Tom. I shall make sure they have their own house. I've got 75m of electric netting so I'm hoping that will be a big enough area not to get trashed. I won't mind if it gets muddy. Been trying to find out how much housing space a Cayuga duck needs. I know a female duck weighs in about 7lb which is no where near as big as an Aylesbury. The house I''m looking at is about 3.5 feet by 2.5 feet which I thinking should be alright for 3. Also waiting to hear from the breeder that he has some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I know you aren't planning to but would just say that I definitely wouldn't have a drake unless you specifically want to breed from them. Drakes are a real nuisance and very different to keeping a cockerel with hens.....the cockerel will look after his ladies and keep control of them...... a drake only has one thing on his mind and will constantly harass the ducks, particularly in Spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 That run should be perfectly fine then. Just a tip though, in winter I move all my duck houses a few metres every week to avoid a big muddy patch where they come out of the house That sort of size house sounds fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted August 20, 2010 Author Share Posted August 20, 2010 Thanks Lesley. Like you say I'm not planning on getting a boy but I had wrongly assumed they would look after the ladies just like a cockerel does. Thanks Tom. I'll definitely moved the house around a bit then! I'm going to start them off in an area made with 25m of fencing for the first two weeks, then start on intros with the hens. When/if they all get on then they can all share the 75m fencing area. Fingers crossed that book arrives today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 I got told wrong by other people I thought they would look after their girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 I've no experience with domestic ducks but female mallards are sometimes drowned during the mating season...She'll take to the water in an attempt to escape the drakes who are trying to mount her, they follow suit and mount her in the water and push her under in their efforts. Cockerels are gentlemen. Drakes are scoundrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
