Re: Ducks and Chickens compatability

From: Jill (news_at_REMOVETHISkintaline.co.uk)
Date: 06/28/04 

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 22:15:28 +0100

Derrick Parfitt wrote:
> How compaatible are ducks and chickens? I remember vaguely reading, or
> hearing from someone, that ducks and chickens are not compatible
> together. However, I cannot validate these statements. I presently
> have about twenty chickens (including two roosters) between the ages
> of 1-3 yrs and I just received four ducklings that I am keeping in
> the brooder for now. I would like to keep the ducksl in the same pen
> as the chickens if possible, due to convenience, though I will build
> a separate pen, if necessary. Any comments and questions will be
> appreciated.
>
> Derrick Parfitt

The birds in general could not care less and often share without a problem
The difficulties can come in the ground and houssing management
You say pen
This suggests a confined area??
How big ??
Ducks need water and are not fussy what they do with it --- it gets spread
all over and they have webbed feet so compound the issue
This can mean an area that is coping with chickens confined becomes a mud
bath with the activity of the ducks

However if the pen is temporary and most of the time the birds are free
ranging over good grass and there is a pond a ways away then the whole
effect is dispersed

Housing - in a confined space the hens are up top and the ducks are down
below so one gets jumped on by the other
and chickens come in to lay and ducks are mucky so and sos so keeping the
house really clean for chickens is much more difficult

HTH 

--
regards
Jill Bowis
Pure bred utility chickens and ducks; Housing; Books, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Holidays in Scotland and Wales
http://www.kintaline.co.uk

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