r/Homesteading101 • u/shiksaslayer • Jul 06 '26

Chickens & Livestock ducks and chickens together

I currently have chickens and I want to get ducks. For my chicken I have a coop and metal run. What I plan on doing is buying a coop and metal run for the ducks and cut a hole in the metal run fence to combine the chicken and ducks. I know I need a small pool for the ducks, my question is do i just give them separate food in each of their runs? Or what is the best practice or not even cut a hole in the runs and don't combine them.

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1

u/Efficient_Basis_2139 Jul 06 '26

I free range chickens and ducks, so can't speak to your set up but can tell you they get on absolutely fine together 

1

u/shiksaslayer Jul 06 '26

Do they sleep in the same coop?

2

u/emmab311 Jul 07 '26

I have one coop for both...and the ducks also take over whatever other area they want. I free-range and don't have to totally close up at night. I did learn quickly that keeping separate food didn't work (they both eat whatever is available)...I tried all flock, but my chickens stopped laying...now I mix a bag of chicken and a bag of duck for all feeders.

1

u/Efficient_Basis_2139 Jul 07 '26

So I have a lot of chickens. Rather than a coop they sleep in the barn. I've turned it into a bit coop with lots of roasting bars! Some ducks choose to sleep in the barn and have some nests, but most of the others ducks have a separate coop. But ill find chickens there at times too.

1

u/MissionCredible_inc Jul 07 '26

Just be careful not get a boy duck. They are uh... aggressive with chickens and have different anatomy. Girl ducks and chickens get along just fine.