I've kept hens for over 15 years and thought some ducks would be good to. My set up is that the hens can free range a beautiful field in the heart of our village. My ducks I keep in the same field but in a separate house and they are penned off (flexible poultry wire with an area of about 50 square foot but not electrified) from the hens, simply because the hens are much more pushy than the ducks when it comes to food. The pen gets moved to fresh grass on a one to two weekly basis depending on the wear and tear to the ground. I started with three hybrid Aylesburys (they are not as big as the pure breeds) and they are now just coming up to point of lay. A few weeks ago I also got some pol Khaki Campbell girls. I kept them separate for a few weeks just to make sure they were healthy and to not transfer any problems.
These KC's have now gone into the run with the three Aylesbury's. There is a small child's sand pit and a good galvanised round container for 'swimming' and cleaning. I tip the water out every evening, swish it round and refill with clean fresh water. Everyone gets terribly exited first thing in the morning as it's lovely and clean water.
This morning, day 3 of the KC's being in the same house and run and bathing facilities as the Aylesbury's were 'extra' exited with the sand pit pool. One KC was in the water having a high old time and two of the Aylesburys got in to. All fine for a short time then I'm convinced the Aylesbury's were trying to drown the KC. One climbed on it's back and the other tried dunking it's head. I flapped my arms to alarm them all and they all sploshed out of the pool quacking with indignation. Has anyone else witnessed this type of behaviour in ducks or am I being over anxious as a new owner? Any advice or opinions would be wonderful.