Ducklings and chickens together?

[Pickles]

We have three chickens and now three ducklings about six weeks old. They have separate sleeping quarters and currently we have put up a temporary fence between them although we hope that eventually they will all free range together. How long should we leave it before we allow them to meet each other. They can see each other And the ducklings seem very interested in the chickens. Any advice happily received.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hi I would wait until the ducklings are fully feathered and then watch very carefully as chickens can be quite mean to ducks, even fully grown ones and can give them a really good pecking. All depends on the individual personalities of the chickens really

 

[chrismahon]

We reared an orphan duckling with chicks. When they were released into the garden they were initially fine together, apart from the duck trashing the feeders. After a few weeks the duck turned very nasty, attacking the chickens and refusing to let them into the coop at night. Needless to say the duck was re-homed.

 

[Pickles]

Thanks we will keep them separate for a while and then introduce slowly, they have started to come out of the shed the last couple of days and take themselves back so they seem to be more settled. We will play it by ear.

 

[Pickles]

Happy to report that we have now introduced them and no problems so far. The ducks have spent around a week staring at the chicken pen longingly and as soon as we opened the fence went straight in to investigate and the chickens went into the ducks quarters to have a look and now on day three they are mingling together and the ducks take themselves back to their sleeping quarters in the evening. Very happy.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

That’s great news!!!