The difference between raising chicks and ducklings
I often get asked if you can have both chickens and ducks in the same flock? Yes, you absolutely can! They all will get along and mind their own business and kind.
But, I also often get asked if one can brood chicks and ducklings together? My answer here would be no; it is not advised for many reasons.
Ducklings and chicks may live in harmony together, but their needs differ quite a lot as young ones.
I have separate blog posts on raising both chicks and ducklings (linked at the bottom), but for this one, I will make a comparison for you to refer to quickly.
Chicks vs. Ducklings
BROODER SPACE
The brooder container for both chicks and ducklings would be mostly the same. I would use a big plastic container or a wooden chicken brooder with more airflow. This is about where the similarity ends.
Chicks: Chicks grow a lot slower than ducks and will leave the brooder and move outside at about 5 weeks old.
Ducklings: Ducklings grow extremely fast and may need a bigger brooder space within 2 weeks. They will be ready to leave the brooder within 4 weeks as the weather permits.
HEAT REQUIREMENTS
Ducks are much more resilient than chicks when it comes to weather and will acclimate more quickly to cooler temperatures.
Chicks: The chicks' brooder should be heated with a heat lamp to 95 Degrees F for the first week, then lowered by 5 degrees per week. Chicks may need a heat lamp until 5-6 weeks until their feathers are fully developed.
Ducklings: The ducklings' brooder should be heated to 90 degrees F for the first 3 days, then 85-90 degrees for days 4 to 7. After that, drop the temperature by approximately 5 degrees per week until they are fully feathered. They may not need any more heat at 3-4 weeks, depending on the weather.
BEDDING
Ducks are way messier than chicks. Be prepared! Keeping bedding clean for both chicks and ducklings is crucial, but especially so for ducklings.
Chicks: For the first week, you can use newspaper with paper towel on top, as chicks may try to eat pine shavings. After this, pine shavings are perfect to use. Chicks do not mess as much, so you may only need to change their bedding 3 times a week.
Ducklings: Line the brooder with a couple of puppy pads to soak up the water and poop they spill and make. On top of that, I put either straw or fresh pine shavings.
Ducks will constantly wet their bedding as they drink water between eating, so I often change the bedding twice a day! This is also why ducklings and chicks should not be in one brooder, as the wet conditions are not ideal for the chicks.
FEED REQUIREMENTS
Feeding of chicks and ducklings does not differ that much, but there are some things to keep in mind to ensure they grow into healthy adult birds.
It is often difficult to find feed specifically for ducks, so many would use chicken feed. But then you need to adjust the feed to make it suitable for ducklings.
Chicks: From weeks 0-6, chicks need to eat starter medicated feed formulated explicitly for baby chicks that offer proper nutrition and 18-20 % protein.
Weeks 6 - 18, you will need to feed them commercial grower feed with 16-18 % protein. You can supplement their diet with treats such as fresh grass cuttings, shredded lettuce, and table scraps safe for chickens.
From week 18, they can eat regular layer feed with 16 % protein.
Ducks: For the first 2 weeks, you can give starter unmedicated chick feed. A protein content of 22% protein is ideal, and after the first 2 weeks, you can reduce it to 17-18%.
For weeks 3 - 12, you can switch to a grower feed with a 16 - 18% protein level. From this stage, you can switch to a crumble type of feed.
From week 12, your ducklings can be put on a pellet maintenance feed with 14 - 15% protein.
You will notice that ducks need a little less protein, as too much protein when they are young can cause increased rapid growth, which their legs and bones won't be able to keep up with.
You can supplement their feed with treats such as tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, and even scrambled eggs.
Here’s a guide on what treats you can feed your flock and what not
Another crucial thing! Ducklings and adult ducks need a steady supply of niacin (vitamin B3), an essential nutrient for bone development, growth, and overall health. If your ducks have a niacin deficiency, it can lead to deformities.
Since ducks (especially ducklings) need more niacin than chickens, you need to supplement the chicken feed with niacin. Ducklings need about 10mg, and adult ducks about 12.5 mg per day.
You can add peas, sweet potatoes, tuna fish, salmon, nutritional yeast, or wheat bran to their feed for extra niacin.
Both chicks and ducks need grit. Grit (coarse sand or dirt) helps them grind the food and digest it properly. This is especially the case when they cannot range freely.
You can use chick grit for chicks and ducklings and add the grit to their feed or in a separate bowl.
WATER REQUIREMENTS
Fresh, clean, and a continued water supply is essential for both. I would clean their water bowls at least once a day and for ducklings even more regularly.
Chicks: Chicks will only take small sips of water when thirsty and won't make as much of a wet mess. Obviously, they are also not as bothered to swim or bathe.
Just be careful; their waterers need to be shallow as they can drown very easily. You could place some rocks in the waterer to help prevent this.
Ducklings: Ducks drink plenty of water, and it should always be provided near the feed to flush their food down. Also, give them a deep enough bowl of water where they can submerge their head into. This helps to clean their bills and keep the mucous membranes moist. But not too deep, so they don't drown!
One of my favorite things to do with our ducklings is to learn them to swim in our zinc. This also helps to activate their oil glands which are essential in assisting them in swimming and protecting them from rain and cold.
GROWTH RATE
It is incredible how much faster ducklings grow than chicks. It happens right in front of your eyes!
Chicks: Chicks will only be fully grown (be adults) at around 25-30 weeks. They will already start laying eggs at about 20 - 25 weeks.
Ducklings: They will be fully grown at around 8 - 12 weeks but will only start laying eggs around 7 months. How interesting is that?!
I enjoy raising chicks and ducklings, and it is always such a learning and rewarding experience! Once you have done it a few times, it will become second nature, and you will get the hang of it.
Having little chicks or ducklings running around is a true blessing, and I encourage everyone to try to raise them at least once in their life if possible.
Please feel free to reach out to me for any advice or ask your local vet and other farmers when you feel uncertain about something.
Learn more here on raising chicks and ducklings:
Love, Annette xx
