Would you believe that my first love in the world of feathered friends was actually ducklings? Most people know me for my love of chickens, but it all started with ducks!
I’ll never forget the day my kids and I were at the local farm supply store. We always loved looking at the cute baby chicks, but the ones I just couldn’t resist were the ducklings! We brought them home that day, and our love for ducks grew.
That same year, someone gifted our son a gosling for his 10th birthday—yes, they asked first! By the end of that year, we had nearly 30 chickens, a “guard goose,” and 3 ducks. Add in 5 goats, and our backyard was quite the lively scene!
Expanding Your Flock: Ducks, Geese and Chickens Together
If you’re considering adding different birds to your flock—like ducks or geese—I say go for it! While I no longer keep ducks or geese, it was a fun and rewarding experience. I’ve known many people who successfully keep a mixed flock of different types of birds.
However, adding new birds to your flock requires some planning and patience. Birds maintain a strict pecking order, and new introductions can be stressful for everyone. I always keep Flock Fixer on hand during these times to help keep everyone healthy and calm!
Raising Ducks and Chickens Together
When raising chicks and ducklings together, they do well growing up side by side. Ducks are messier because of their love for water, but their eggs are great, so it’s worth the extra effort! Keep in mind, though, ducks and chickens have slightly different habits, so a little extra care is needed when integrating them.
Tips for Introducing New Birds
When introducing new birds to an existing flock, it’s important to wait until the new birds are old enough and fully feathered. A good rule of thumb is to wait until they’re 6 to 8 weeks old. It’s also helpful to compare the size of your existing birds to the newcomers, especially if you’re mixing chickens and ducks. Ducks are usually larger, so proper timing and patience are key.
Coop Space and Roosting
While chickens, ducks and geese can get along, they usually stick with their own when it’s time to roost. Geese, being much larger, can be trickier to integrate but are definitely possible. In our case, our goose, Goldie, acted as the flock’s protector. He kept watch and made sure everyone was safe—even sacrificing his life for the flock.
When planning your coop and run, chickens and ducks need about 4 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 square feet per bird in the run. Geese, on the other hand, need about double that amount of space.
Tip: Always build bigger than you think! Unless your city has specific limits, go big—you’ll likely end up wanting more birds.
“Goldie” the Goose
Training Ducks to Roost
One thing to note about ducks is that they can see in the dark, so they don’t always follow the chickens into the coop at night. Chickens, on the other hand, know it’s bedtime once it gets dark because they can’t see. We spent a few nights chasing ducks at dusk, which was fun the first time—after that, not so much! But ducks are smart and can be trained to head inside for the night.
Lessons Learned from Raising a Mixed Flock
Having a mixed flock for a few years was such a fun experience. There was never a dull moment, and we certainly learned a lot. Looking back, I wish we’d done more research before diving in, but the challenges helped us learn along the way. Experience is the best teacher!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Flock Fixer - Hydrate & Restore Health During Times of Challenge
You can’t always see it, but your flock will experience a weakened immune system during times of challenge. Flock Fixer is a vitamin-rich additive that helps hydrate, restore vital nutrients and balance digestive health.