Raising different birds together

[leon]

A few farmers I have spoken to before say that they enjoy having ducks and quail in addition to a flock of chicken. The latter are usually docile and highly domesticated but then are there any birds that you cannot flock together on the farm?

 

[Katie]

It might depend on the breed, but I think pheasants can be tough to keep in a mixed-species flock. Some of them can be pretty aggressive and turn into bullies.

 

[RichZ]

I've had chickens and ducks together with no problems, but I've never had pheasants.

 

[Katie]

I volunteered at a rescue outfit before I moved, and we had all kinds of birds together. I think it works the best if there's a large mixture, the genders are divided, and the bully birds don't outnumber the gentle birds. I've seen everything together except swans. Some pheasant breeds are rougher than others like I mentioned earlier, but they did okay with a large mixed-flock. There were chickens, turkeys, and guineas to balance it out. I don't think I'd trust pheasants with quails though. With any mixed-flock you have to watch and wait to see how they do before you can trust they'll be safe together.

 

[Almost Eden]

That's interesting, Katie. Thanks for sharing. The way you described things makes sense. I think swans are beautiful creatures, but I've heard they have to stick in pairs, or they'll wind up fighting and will seriously damage each other.

 

[jack]

I volunteered at a rescue outfit before I moved, and we had all kinds of birds together. I think it works the best if there's a large mixture, the genders are divided, and the bully birds don't outnumber the gentle birds. I've seen everything together except swans. Some pheasant breeds are rougher than others like I mentioned earlier, but they did okay with a large mixed-flock. There were chickens, turkeys, and guineas to balance it out. I don't think I'd trust pheasants with quails though. With any mixed-flock you have to watch and wait to see how they do before you can trust they'll be safe together.

You just spoke what went through my mind after reading this thread as I am yet to read about birds that don't co-exist together? Overall, I think it is necessary to be reasonable and have a practical mix of birds!