dippy bird Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi all, not been on here for ages!! We have just lost 6 of our beloved hens to a fox It was our own stupid fault as we forgot to lock the gate after letting them free range one evening last week.I am so upset and feel so guilty.We had never had a fox near our garden before and have been keeping hens for almost three years now. I will NEVER make that mistake again. We have just got one little lady left.How she survived I will never know. I have to say,out of all of our ladies,she has always been the cheekiest hen and the brightest! If she could find a way out of the run,she would find it and egg( pardon the pun) the others on as well! Our problem is, that we dont want her to be lonely.Her run is pretty big and the coop isbig enough for 6 or seven ladies. My hubby has said that we can have two more little girls to keep her company. I would love a duck,put need advice. Will one duck be ok with two hens? Will the duck be ok to sleep in the same coop? I have heard that some ducks dont necessarily need a pond? Is this true? Any advice and suggestions would be welcome x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 I'm contemplating putting two little call ducks with my banty hens (see thread in the duck section) and have loads of questions like what they eat ect. but I do know that though they need water they don't need a lot of it - not a large pond or anything - a large tub trug would be good. I also know that the water gets very messy fast and has to be changed regularly as they like to dunk their food in it and so it needs to be kept hygenic. As for numbers I think one little duck all on its own would be a bit sad - hence my plans to get 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 Unfortunately their needs don't really coincide - ducks like a bit of water and tend to create a muddy mess unless you keep them on something like concrete.... chickens don't thrive in a wet environment, they will get fungal foot problems; they are also incredibly stupid around even the shallowest pool and inclined to drown. I really wouldn't want to mix a drake with any hens either; they aren't very discriminating in what they try it on with and can be rather forceful with hens Personally I wouldn't mix the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted May 15, 2012 Share Posted May 15, 2012 A friend of mine has recently given a home to a young duck and she is keeping it in with her chickens...so far she said it's a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share Posted May 16, 2012 Thanks guys . I spoke to David from Creag Mhor poultry last night and he has put me straight about what I would need to do. I won't be getting any ducks as I only have one coop. So I'll be just getting two new little ladies when I come back from my holibobs in June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 Oh dear - looks like we are down the road to getting 2 little call ducks They hatched just yesterday and are with their Mummy for now. The parents are free ranging with the owner's Dutch bantams and banty Frizzles, which is what gave me the idea it would be ok. We have a little duck house which OH is paiting blue and I've located an area to put a child's paddling pool near a drain and on some pea shingle with free draining underneath, to make it easier to keep clean. I'll let you know how we get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 I think if they are living separately and just mixing when free ranging, they should be OK. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
