Is 1 duck ok with hens for company?

[Lola1609]

Hi there,

Fairly recently I rehomed some ducks and a hen. They were hatched together as a foursome (2 hens and 2 ducks). Just before they came to me, one hen sadly died.

My 3 girls lived happily together, following each other, sleeping huddled together etc etc. Henny the hen seemed happy to follow but also do her own thing.

Unfortunately, during a day time free-range, Mr Fox appears to have taken 1 of the ducks Henny and Daphne (duck) are happy together and stick together, we have upgraded their area for roaming to protect against foxes and so I’m finally thinking of getting some more company for the girls.

I’ve looked into getting chicks and ducklings but my heart aches to rescue some hens (I cannot see any rescue ducks nearby). So, my question stands: does Daphne need a friend of the duck kind? Or would she be ok with hen friends?

Or, do I leave the girls as they are- as they seem more than happy?!


Thanks in advance for any advice or stories of your own to share!

 

[416bigbore]

Hello, Sorry for your loss, I am no expert on this kind of situation except for having both growing up together from babies and all get along great for the most part.

My question for you would be this, How many ducks and hens do you want to have? Introducing new birds into a flock seems to always start a new set of problems until they figure out their pecking order and start to get alone with each other.

Ducks and chickens are different and will go off and do their own thing, but can still live together with few issues. Your fortunate that they were both hatched together, IMO you should be fine if you don't want to add any new member to your flock.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

they are all girls, so you do not have the issues of a drake breeding a hen (which can be deadly)

so i think it will be perfectly fine, and thank you for choosing to adopt enough

 

[noodledog]

So sorry for your loss

Ducks and chickens are completely different and can't communicate with each other, you do need at least one more duck and hen.

 

[Trisseh]

I currently have a mismatched pair of a chicken pullet and a duck that turned out to be a mule drake (Muscovy/mallard derived hybrid) and let me tell you, it’s not a healthy relationship. I obtained them from a friend and all would probably have been fine if both were male or both were female. But with the size/sex difference it’s a recipe for disaster. Neither bird knows how to behave with others of their own species, and the drake will attack all other birds, and has begun courting the diminutive sebright pullet. I’ve separated them now because it’s not safe for the pullet.

If you’re happy with the current setup and the birds are happy, probably ok to keep things as they are.

but if you want to add more birds to your flock, I would see about adding at least one more duck hen (no drakes!) and another chicken hen and go from there. That will give you an idea on if they’ll all still hang out together or if they’re going to go off in groups of their own species. It doesn’t matter really what they choose to do but then at least they have that option. It’s the same idea as only keeping one goose. Will it survive? Yes. Will it be content? Possibly. Will it be actually happy and well adjusted? Probably not. I remember someone on here (can’t remember who) likened it to 2 people who speak very different languages suddenly living together. They just won’t communicate in the same ways or understand each other fully. That’s not to say they can’t coexist happily though, as your girls have obviously shown.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

oh by the way, what state are you in? i could possibly help you find some duck rescues

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I had a similar situation - rescued two ducks (they were a couple months old when I got them), and one died. They were used to being around the chickens in an all-male flock, and when I tried to get the lone duck some duck friends (two hens), he wanted nothing to do with them and preferred his rooster friends. If they're used to each other and she seems happy, I don't think you'll have a problem with it. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[416bigbore]

oh by the way, what state are you in? i could possibly help you find some duck rescues

The State of the UK.

 

[Eggs_R_US]

they are all girls, so you do not have the issues of a drake breeding a hen (which can be deadly)

so i think it will be perfectly fine, and thank you for choosing to adopt enough

The State of the UK.

Hello - I hope I'm not being a buttinsky here. I lost my one hen Khaki Campbell. I didn't lock down the 8 pullets and the TWO ducks early enuff and I have no idea what murdered her. Just gone!
Well, that Drake K Campbell seems down right lonely. Everyone got along wonderfully. Sad--. I see you mentioned you may be able to help someone find a female duck. Rescue etc?
Everyone was 20 weeks along at that time and now they are at 23wks. Well -- no biggie.
I'm a tad north of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Metro area. A six acres Farmette, so to speak -- I've raised foul before but hate to pay $15.00 + just for a companion. I s'pose I'm dreaming as to how this could be put together.. I have tried neighbors and Craig's List but again some possible connections were 100 miles away.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

The State of the UK.

You joke but it won't be long before it seems that way !!