Ducks and Chickens Together: What Beginner Homesteaders Should Know

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Being a beginner backyard chicken and duck owner has taught me more emotional lessons than I ever expected.

Today was one of those hard days.
The kind that leaves you feeling heavy and unsure —
the kind of day that makes you question every decision you’ve made as a beginner.

After six months of peacefully keeping our ducks and chickens together, we made the decision to separate them.

For months, everything felt right.

They shared space without issue.
They settled into routines together.
They coexisted far more smoothly than I ever expected as a beginner.

That’s why this situation hit me so hard.

The bullying didn’t slowly build over time —
it came on suddenly.

The chickens began going after the ducks, pulling at their feathers and even grabbing onto their tails.
And once it started, it didn’t stop.

I wish it were as simple as one dominant chicken that could be separated.

But it wasn’t.

It was two out of our three chickens, which made the situation feel even more overwhelming and confusing.

At times like these, I feel completely disheartened.
I just want what’s best for both animals — but when you’re new to this, it’s hard to know what the “right” choice is.

My mind kept racing with questions:

Should I wait it out?
Am I overreacting?
Is this something I caused?

But underneath all of that noise, my gut was telling me something different.

What Actually Worked for Us Before the Separation

I think it’s important to say this clearly:

Keeping ducks and chickens together did work for us — until it didn’t.

One of the biggest concerns people have about mixed flocks is mess, especially when ducks are involved.

Yes — ducks are undeniably messier, particularly with their water.
But this was something we were able to manage without issue.

We placed pea gravel around their main pool area to help with drainage and mud control, and used sand throughout the rest of the run.

That simple setup made a huge difference
and kept their shared space clean and manageable.

Nutrition was another area we were mindful of early on.

Ducks need more niacin than chickens to support healthy legs and bone development.
As long as ducks are fed appropriately — or supplemented with niacin — this doesn’t have to be a problem in a mixed setup.

For us, it never was.

Our ducks stayed active, strong, and healthy.

In so many ways, they were great together.
That’s what made the sudden shift in behavior so shocking and painful.

It wasn’t a slow decline or something I could prepare myself for —
it was like flipping a switch.

The Moment I Knew We Had to Separate Them

What made this whole situation even harder was when it happened.

We had just finished moving everyone into their new insulated coop for winter.

We got it done later than we should have —
another lesson for a future post —
but I remember finally feeling a sense of relief.

With Wisconsin winters approaching, having that coop finished eased my mind so much.
I truly thought we were settling into a safer, calmer season.

Instead — that’s when the bullying started.

Once it began, my nerves were shot.

I felt overwhelmed.
Constantly watching.
Constantly worrying.

Afraid that if I stepped away for even a moment, someone would get seriously hurt.

The peace we once had was gone,
replaced by tension — for the animals and for me.

At first, I went back and forth in my head.

Maybe the move itself had stressed them out.
Maybe switching to a new space had thrown off the balance.
Maybe they just needed time to adjust.

I wanted so badly to believe things would settle
once everyone got used to their new setup.

But my gut wouldn’t let me ignore what I was seeing.

The bullying wasn’t subtle or occasional —
it was aggressive and sudden.

The ducks would be minding their own business, laying down and resting,
when the chickens would run up and grab onto their tail feathers.

At times, they went straight for their neck feathers,
pulling hard enough that it made my stomach drop.

Watching it happen was awful.

I felt constantly on edge —
afraid to look away,
afraid that waiting it out would lead to something far worse.

Even if the move had caused temporary stress, I didn’t want to chance it.

My responsibility wasn’t to prove I could make it work —
it was to keep them safe.

I kept reminding myself that going with my gut would leave me feeling the most at ease in the long run.

And my gut was telling me the same thing over and over:

Separating them before things got worse was the right decision.

Making that call broke my heart.

It felt like admitting defeat —
even though deep down, I knew it wasn’t.

Separating them wasn’t about failure.
It was about safety, compassion, and responsibility.

Sometimes being a good caretaker means accepting that
what once worked no longer does.

What This Taught Me as a Beginner Homesteader

This experience is just one of many learning lessons I’ve had so far
as a beginner backyard chicken and duck owner.

Not everything goes the way you expect.
Not every decision feels good right away.
And sometimes doing the right thing feels heavy before it feels healing.

What this season taught me — more than anything —
is that doing what’s best doesn’t always feel good in the moment.

Mixed flocks can work beautifully with the right setup, nutrition, and environment.
But behavior can change suddenly —
and being willing to pivot when that happens matters.

I learned that trusting your gut isn’t weakness — it’s part of learning.

I learned that heartbreak can coexist with relief
when you know you made the safest choice.

Separating our ducks and chickens brought a sense of calm back to our space.

Watching them settle into their own environments reminded me that peace is sometimes found on the other side of hard decisions.

And still — this journey is incredibly rewarding.

Caring for animals.
Learning their needs.
Watching them grow and thrive.

It’s a privilege.

In return, they support us with their eggs, their routines, and their quiet companionship.
That exchange feels sacred to me.

If you’re a beginner homesteader learning as you go with your backyard flock,
Please know this:

You’re not doing it wrong just because you had to change course.

Sometimes the lesson isn’t that something never works —
it’s learning when it’s time to step in with love
and make a different choice.

And if you’re walking through something similar,
I’d truly love to hear from you 🤍

One Month Later: An Update I Didn’t Expect

One month later, I feel relief.

Our ducks are thriving.

They’re noticeably happier without being bullied every second while simply trying to exist peacefully. I’ve seen such a huge change in them—especially in how they interact with me.

Before, they would often chase me away, even when I brought treats. Now, they confidently walk up to me, curious and calm, trusting instead of fearful.

Seeing that change confirmed that listening to my instincts was the right decision.

Now, both our chickens and ducks are happier living separately—and I feel at peace knowing they’re all living the better life they deserve.

Now we just have to get through our first Midwest winter!

As always with love,

Miranda