AndyRoo Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Hello all, Are there any other types of birds I could keep in a run with the hens? Or would it cause problems. When I say other birds, I don't mean so much like ducks as I do finches etc. This year we're having a large run built for the hens, but I love the idea of having some other birds too and getting it set-up as a kind of aviary too. Or maybe I should just get some ducks or quails or something. Any thoughts? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 Well, this was very short lived as an idea as Rich has just told me that, under no circumstances, will I be allowed to have anything like finches... but I am allowed ducks! So any tips on keeping hens and ducks together? lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 We have two budgies and they make an awful racket. Had the back door open today and I could here them down the garden. I went in and covers them in the end to give them a short timeout to calm down as they were shrieking. Next door have an aviary full of finches and they are loud too. Ducks are probably quieter. Ducks and chickens have been kept together in farmyards for years so you’ll probably be fine Just found this https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/keeping-ducks-together-with-chickens/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, ajm200 said: We have two budgies and they make an awful racket. Had the back door open today and I could here them down the garden. I went in and covers them in the end to give them a short timeout to calm down as they were shrieking. Next door have an aviary full of finches and they are loud too. Ducks are probably quieter. Ducks and chickens have been kept together in farmyards for years so you’ll probably be fine Just found this https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/keeping-ducks-together-with-chickens/ I wanted to get some Zebra finches because I had them as a kid, but Rich has said no. I never found them that noisy. I'm trying to decide if I got ducks, what type I would get. I'm torn between runner ducks, which I suppose could be better as they're bigger than the hens and are less likely to be picked on, but then I'd only be able to have a couple of them. Whereas if I got some Campbells, then I might be able to have 4 or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 I have two budgies and a few zebra finch (indoors) but outside we have chickens and ducks living together. In my experience chickens will kill quail and quail fly off so need containing rather than a walk in run that chickens can free range from. We have a trio of Call Ducks who are fine with chickens, in the past we've had white hybrid ducks in with them too - one thing is ducks are much messier than chickens. I think Campbells are bigger than Indian Runners too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 What about turkeys? If I ever would have the space and distance to neighbours, I would get guineafowl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 23, 2019 Author Share Posted February 23, 2019 2 hours ago, Lewis said: We have a trio of Call Ducks who are fine with chickens, in the past we've had white hybrid ducks in with them too - one thing is ducks are much messier than chickens. I think Campbells are bigger than Indian Runners too? There's no way we'd get away with call ducks in a residential area. In terms of size, I am referring to height. Runners are a bit lower than my waist, Campbells are below my knee and are what I would call normal duck size. At least, that is what I understand. Apparently the quietest ducks are Muscovy... but my partner doesn't think they're as cute as others, so I don't know if that will work. 2 hours ago, Cat tails said: What about turkeys? If I ever would have the space and distance to neighbours, I would get guineafowl! I'm not big on Turkeys. I was quite into the idea of pheasants, but I'm not sure they neighbours would appreciate them. They'd like that even less than my idea for a peacock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Muscovy ducks are BIG! I would think pheasants are much quieter than a peacock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 8 hours ago, Cat tails said: Muscovy ducks are BIG! Yeah, but apparently they're the quietest, which is what my neighbours will appreciate most. I do like runner ducks, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Aren’t wood ducks supposed to be quiet with a low whistle like sound. Would a Pekin breed like the Black East Indian duck be quiet? They have an amazing colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 Turkeys are a no no with chickens. They can carry a disease that they are immune to, but which is fatal for chickens, I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 My local petting zoo is keeping chickens, with turkeys, ducks and guineafowl all together, with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 I'm not interested in Turkeys. Never been a big fan of them, a family friend used to keep them, and I remember them being quite mean and aggressive. They're probably less intimidating to fully grown adults than kids, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 25, 2019 Share Posted February 25, 2019 16 hours ago, Patricia W said: Turkeys are a no no with chickens. They can carry a disease that they are immune to, but which is fatal for chickens, I believe. Blackhead :) Personally I wouldn't keep ducks with chickens; they are much messier, with the associated transference of bacteria in all that wet. Drakes also have a voracious 'ahem' appetite and have been known to savage hens in their attempt to mate with them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyRoo Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share Posted February 25, 2019 6 hours ago, The Dogmother said: Blackhead Personally I wouldn't keep ducks with chickens; they are much messier, with the associated transference of bacteria in all that wet. Drakes also have a voracious 'ahem' appetite and have been known to savage hens in their attempt to mate with them! There will be no boys allowed. Ever. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmKing Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 It is not wise since one bird can be a carrier of diseases that affect the other bird and vice versa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 Also waterfowl are the main vector for AI, so not a good idea to mix them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
