How to Raise Chickens and Ducks Together

Learn about how to properly house chickens and ducks together.

Hobby farmers generally have mixed opinions about housing ducks and chickens together. Chickens are fairly easy birds to raise. They’re small and manageable.

Ducks are easy, too. They’re hardy and lay eggs year-round, so housing them together is possible. It just takes a little work and adequate space.

Follow these simple tips for raising ducks and chickens together from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Feeding Chickens and Ducks

When you bring your chicks and ducklings home, you will have to feed them separately for the first few months. Baby chicks need chick starter that is typically medicated for healthy growth.

However, ducklings will need non-medicated baby chick starter feed, as well as a niacin supplement and brewer’s yeast. Adult duck feed and medicated chick starter can kill a baby duckling.

Once your ducklings and chicks mature into adults, you can feed them both poultry feed. Adult ducks can also eat brewer’s yeast as a supplement to the layer poultry feed.

If you’re sick of paying for feed all the time, you can also let your poultry free range for food. Ducks will find plenty of food, such as insects, slugs, grass, and duckweed.

Water Supply for Chickens and Ducks

Ducks love the water, and they’ll want somewhere to drink and swim. A kiddie pool or rubber tub can work for a duck’s water needs.

You’ll need to put some bricks or cement blocks around the edge of the pool, or a ramp on the outside. While ducks will be fine, chickens can drown in the pool. With the ramp or bricks, chickens have an easier way to get out of the water.

For your chickens’ water source, use a hanging poultry waterer filled with fresh, clean water.

Keeping the Coop Clean

Finally, keeping the chicken coop clean is important, regardless of if you’re housing your birds together or not. Ducks tend to make a mess when they’re eating and drinking, so keep feed and waterers outside the coop.

It’s also important to keep your coop well ventilated, as ducks produce a lot of moisture. If you can keep the coop ventilated and dry, your birds should be fine.

Housing ducks and chickens together can be a great way to add some variety to your hobby farm. They’re both fun animals that the whole family can learn about and enjoy.

For more tips on raising your mixed flock, visit our Chickens & Poultry Blog.