Ducks and Chickens co-existing

[Muser]

I have no idea why I'm asking this, I don't intend on ever keeping ducks, but I do keep chickens They seem to share each other's space quite well.

I was wondering:

Do ducks, like chickens, have a pecking order for their species?
Do ducks and chickens, when they exist in the same space, have to have an overall pecking order (across the two species) or is it just for the chickens and just for the ducks?
Are chicken's pecking orders upset if ducks are introduced, or vice versa?

Anyway, just furthering my knowledge and this space is better than Google

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes ducks have a pecking order. When you have a mixed flock of ducks and chickens they maintain their individual pecking orders. They can be kept with chickens ***depending*** on your situation, setup and space. Ducks are wet and messy so if you only have a coop/run with minimum size requirements I would not recommend it. Chickens need a dry space. If have plenty of space both inside and out where the chickens can still stay dry when the ducks have their crazy pool parties it can work in ***some** cases. Another thing to take note of is drakes. Many drakes will try to mate with chickens which can permanently injure if not kill a chicken, but it depends on the drake. I would never recommend keeping a drake locked up in a coop/run with chickens unless it is extremely large and you have observed the drakes behavior. I have a drake and hen who live with my chickens they also get locked up with the chickens at night. My drake and hen are a bonded pair that want absolutely nothing to do with the chickens. I also have a 16’x60’ area that serves as my coop divided into 10x20’ pens. Outside they free range on 30 acres. However, I would not be comfortable locking my drake in a regular sized coop and run with chickens. He is a great drake, but I would not risk that.

 

[Evadig]

Based off my experience:

Do ducks, like chickens, have a pecking order for their species?

Yes, but it's not as pronounced. I mostly see it between the older and younger birds. I have one drake and two ducks (1 year old) and three ducks (~10 weeks old)

Do ducks and chickens, when they exist in the same space, have to have an overall pecking order (across the two species) or is it just for the chickens and just for the ducks?

The ducks chase the chickens out of their space, but there's no pecking order between them. They each keep to their own group.

Are chicken's pecking orders upset if ducks are introduced, or vice versa?

No