Can ducks and hens live together?

[Ripeberry]

In a shared run? But the ducks would have their own seperate coop. Or do they co-habit?

[BeenBeta]

I just wonder whether hens and ducks would have compatible behaviour living close togther in a snallish run?

Hens need to scratch about and dust bathe whereas ducks need to be able to run water over the backs of their heads. Not necessarily a pond but at least a small pool to dunk their heads. IME duck make a wet mess on the ground and hens need somewhere dryish.

[BeenBeta]

smallish run

[Ripeberry]

Our run is on a small slope anyway, so the ducks would have their 'paddling' area at the bottom and the hens will have the top.
The whole thing goes muddy when it rains anyway

[spottysox]

My chickens bullied the ducks and would not let them near any food. The ducks now have their own run and it is soooo much more muddy than any of the chicken runs. The ducks need their water changing every couple of days, they hate dirty water and it can cause disease. The ducks are also a lot more smelly than chickens. HTH

[frenchfancy]

Ours are all together. Ducks have their own house and the run is very big. no real problems but you have to keep an eye on the chickens to make sure they don't steal the ducks food.

[Constance39]

They can't share accommodation.

You can by all means let them run about in a shared area but make sure the hen house is inaccessible for the ducks, as hens need dry, dusty houses and water makes them ill.

Also keep the duck house shut during the day or they will soggy and muddy it up.

The food isn't a major problem but just keep the houses very separate - and you will need a fairly large area to prevent it all becoming a mudbath - i know it gets muddy with chickens and rain, but add ducks in and you have a swamp

there is wet

and there is WET

[Constance39]

You also need a really big pond or else one that you can clean out once a week or so, or as SS said it will make them ill.

A small plastic paddling pool is better than a pond in terms of ease of cleaning out, and you'll want a hose.

Ducks are such a hassle and SS is right, they really honk!