Raising ducks with chickens

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

I've done the chick raising before and feel comfortable with it. This year I'm wanting to add ducklings to the mix. I know that I should probably keep them in separate brooders because of how wet and messy ducklings are...or at least that's what I've read. If I go this route, A) is it correct? and B) can I just toss them into the larger pen together when they are ready to be out of the brooder?

I will probably get the chicks first and then the ducklings a bit later on. I know ducklings grow much faster, so I reckon I have about 3-4 weeks of wiggle room where they will be big enough to play with one another.

Any thoughts or experiences y'all might have (or have had) in this regard would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Yardmom]

If there is plenty of space older chicks can be brooded with ducklings. One problem that can arise from brooding them together is when they mature drakes may try to mate with chickens. Unfortunately ducks are physically different than chickens The drakes could injure the chicken hens.