Should I Raise Poultry? - Raising Poultry - page 12

ate well because their feathers become matted, leaving them unable to maintain a proper
body temperature.
Waterfowl can make life harder for other cohabiting species in the cold winter
months. Waterfowl, especially geese, insist on taking daily baths, regardless of the out-
side temperature, and in their zeal to get clean, they typically splash all other members
of the household. Geese and ducks can tolerate the cold better because their bodies have
a fatty layer of insulation; chickens, guineas, and turkeys are not as fortunate. I've seen
geese jump in a tub of water when it was −38°F (−39°C) and quickly turn to ice. Their
feathers had frozen water droplets on them and all the flabbergasted birds around them
also were covered with ice crystals.
Mixed groups of poultry work quite well together within reason. Of course there can
be problems, but as a general rule they occur only during breeding season or if things get
too crowded. During breeding season, both males and females become aggressive to-
ward others, and in a mixed flock, tempers flare and aggressive outbursts increase. The
less space you have, the more problems you experience.
An added benefit to combining your flock is eye appeal — mixed groups all running
around together outside can be quite aesthetically pleasing.
Adjusting to the Mix
When given proper room, all of the main types of poultry get along just fine with one
another in the same pen. Chickens, ducks, geese, guineas, and turkeys can all be in the
same building, eating, drinking, sleeping, and laying eggs all as one big happy family.
You'll need to think broadly to accommodate the needs of each breed, and be ready to
make some adjustments to the daily routine.
If you want to mix waterfowl with any nonwaterfowl species, plan to clean your
facility weekly in wet seasons or as the litter becomes damp and smelly.
If you want to mix guineas with any other species, prepare to step in and rethink
your plan if a battle ensues. Male guineas, especially during breeding season, are par-
ticularly protective of their turf. They commonly harass and occasionally kill roosters,
male turkeys, and even male ducks living in the same pen. The common Pearl guineas
are the most aggressive; many of the rarer colors of guinea are not as protective.
If you want to mix turkeys with any other species, do so on a trial-and-error basis.
If blackhead disease exists in your area, chickens can present a contagion problem for
the turkeys in the mix. Turkeys are particularly vulnerable to the disease, and if your
land is composed of heavy soils that don't drain well and therefore harbor more disease-
carrying worms and parasites, your turkeys are further at risk. Sandy, loose soils tend
to be better for poultry pasture to prevent worm problems and other disease issues. See
chapter 25 , Flock Health, for more information about blackhead.