Re: Shared Duck/Chicken Run

theinein wrote:
I'm currently fencing off part of our pasture to be used as a chicken
run. I am also interested in possibly keeping ducks and pheasants.

Given sufficent room, is it practical that these birds share the same
area? Would the inclusion of a small duck pond cause problems with the
chickens sharing the same area? Are roosters an additional concern
too?

I'm assuming these species can co-exist, but the pond could become
somewhat unsanitary with the chickens there.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

It can be done but the area has to be proportionally very very much bigger.
Any enclosed birds require more maintenance than ranging ones as they have a
greater impact on their environment.
All species will tolerate and cope with poor conditions, unfortunately for
them, and are often given them.

Ducks need clean grassy areas with a pond that has gently running water in
and out to flush it. They enjoy some boggy bits where they can dibble fro
bugs adn stuff as long as its not allowed to get into really muddy
conditions.
A static pond will become fetid bacterial soup very quickly. Ducks are very
mucky and hard on their ponds. Itsnot the chickens that will make a pond
unsanitary - its the ducks and very quickly.
A structure that is emptied every day or if large every few days needs very
good drainage all around it to cope with the amount of water being flushed
out.
The area around hte pond needs to be very well drained to allow for them in
and out often. They will poach ground quite quickly.
Tehy need a house for their own protection at night but this will tend to be
always mucky. This is not so much of a problem as they are straight into the
pond first thing in the morning to get properly clean. They rarely use their
house for shelter.
Few ducks are year around producers so need a more maintainance diet. They
should not be fed ad lib but twice a day - on clean ground or dish, as much
as they can clear in 15 -20 minutes. In very poor weather - three times a
day. They can get more nutrition from clean quality range.

Chickens need clean grazing and no boggy bits. They are in and out of their
house a number of times a day. They should be much more productive and need
to be fed layers ration ad lib. They will top up their diet from their range
if its good enough but this is not nutritionally high enough quality for
good eggs. They will use the house for shelter from rain etc. They go into
the house to lay their eggs. They do not want the bedding to be wet or
muddy. Its hard for them to clean themselves if it is.

If you have nice pastures it is better not to fence them off at all but to
have separate housing for the various species as is best for each and to
move the housing around the paddocks to keep the overall activity on any one
bit as light as possible. Certain areas - like around the pond will be
"sacrificed" but as long as they have plenty of space they will be fine. If
you have daytime predators then electric netting is much more cost effective
and mobile than permanent netting.

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk



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