Hi Joy, thanks for reaching out with your question. UVM Extension's 4-H educator Martha Manning passed along this advice:

Once hatched many people keep ducks and chickens in the same coop but opinion vary. A few points to consider:

Ducks like to make a mess in the water drinker. – Possible solution is to place the drinker over a paint roller tray so excess water drips into the tray and does not make a soggy mess of the bedding.

Ducks and chickens both need access to water when eating as the water helps wash down the feed and aids in digestion. So be sure there is plenty of water.

Raising both species together will require more frequent changing of bedding

If brooding under heat plates the size difference with the two species may mean that the chickens (being shorter get less heat)

And there is the issue of each species having different sleep patterns – do not know if there is any science to back this up.

You can reach Martha directly at:

Martha R. Edwards Manning
University of Vermont Extension
4-H Educator Franklin and Grand Isle Counties
278 South Main St., Suite 2
St. Albans, VT 05478
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