Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: elibump on January 09, 2011, 09:59

Title: Can I add ducks to the mix?
Post by: elibump on January 09, 2011, 09:59

I just wondered if anyone can advise me:  we have 3 hens (perhaps will be adding another 1 + cockrel in spring), 3 geese and 1 gander so far in our poultry compound, can we add ducks to this mix or not?  We will be installing a pond (a sunken bath to be honest)for the geese (and ducks) soon.

We are hoping to add just enough to get eggs and the occasional duck to eat so how many do you suggest? Also, are 'semi-wild' better than farm bred for eggs/meat (both are sold over here)?

Our general idea is to have enough poultry to provide ourselves with some meat and eggs, we are intending to breed our own on the whole, there are generally just the 2 of us here.

Thanks

Eli xx

Title: Re: Can I add ducks to the mix?
Post by: joyfull on January 09, 2011, 10:13

I don't see why not many on here have hens and ducks together - so long as they have their own house to avoid being pooped on from above. You will need to clean the pool out very regularly unless it is very big  :)

Title: Re: Can I add ducks to the mix?
Post by: Sassy on January 10, 2011, 08:49

Some people choose to keep them separately if they have a drake. They often don't mind doing what comes naturally with a chicken and it can be a bit distressing for the chooks. Depends if you have a drake and whether he is that bothered. :blink: :blink: