As a chicken owner, you may be considering adding other animals to your backyard flock as companions for your chickens. While chickens are social animals that can usually live amongst themselves in harmony, not all animals are compatible with them. It’s important to choose the right animals to keep with your backyard chickens to ensure their safety and well-being.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best animals to keep with backyard chickens and how they get along with each other.
Ducks
At the top of our list of companions for your backyard chickens are ducks. Ducks are excellent companions for chickens as they share many features of the same living environments and requirements. Both chickens and ducks enjoy a clean and dry area to rest, and both benefit from a well-ventilated coop.
While ducks and chickens are great companions, there are a few things to consider before you decide to introduce ducks to your backyard flock. Ducks tend to be messier than chickens and produce more waste, so their living area will need to be cleaned more frequently. Ducks also have different dietary needs than chickens and may require additional supplements or feed.
Ducks require a few other specific living requirements in order to thrive. Firstly, they need access to water to swim and clean themselves in. A shallow pond or even a kiddie pool will suffice. Ducks need ample space to move around and exercise, as well. If you free-range your chickens, then ducks will be a happy addition to your flock.
Like chickens, ducks require a sheltered area to roost and protect themselves from predators. It is crucial to ensure your flock is protected at night, and an automatic chicken coop door will do just that. Run-Chicken’s automatic chicken coop doors are made from aluminum that is both sturdy and durable, keeping predators out of your coop at night and your flock safe. These automatic chicken coop doors are large enough to accommodate ducks as well as chickens–and the best part is it’s automatic.
Ducks and chickens get along well and enjoy each other’s company, making them great companions for one another. As long as they have ample space to roam and the proper care and accommodations, ducks and chickens can coexist peacefully.
Guinea Fowl
Guinea fowl are another excellent companion for your backyard chickens. Like chickens, Guinea fowl are great foragers and are skilled at catching small insects. Additionally, guinea fowl are known for their alertness and can serve as watchful protectors of your flock, alerting chickens to any potential threats. While guinea fowl can be loud and may cause disturbances, they generally get along well with chickens.
Guinea fowl are hardy birds that can adapt to a variety of climates and living conditions. They require a sheltered area at night to protect them from predators and cold weather. A sturdy automatic chicken coop door is a great way to protect your flock at night. During the day, they need a large, fenced area to roam and forage for insects, seeds, and grains–much like the environment that chickens prefer.
Guinea fowl can be kept with chickens, but they should be introduced slowly and monitored closely. Chickens can be aggressive towards guinea fowl, which can lead to injuries or even death. Providing enough space and resources for both species is crucial to their well-being. Guinea fowl and chickens both require clean water, a high-quality diet, and plenty of space to roam and forage.
Quail
Quails are peaceful and highly productive birds that can be kept alongside chickens. They require minimal space and can be housed in a separate area of your backyard. Quails are quiet birds, making them an excellent option if you live in a residential area with noise restrictions. It’s important to note that quail require a high-protein diet and can be sensitive to cold temperatures.
Quails require a suitable living environment where they can roam freely, have access to clean water, and are fed on a balanced diet. They also need a predator-proof coop or enclosure to offer shelter, warmth, and protection. For extra protection at night, an automatic chicken coop door is an excellent investment. It will open at a set time or at sunrise to let your flock out to enjoy their day while also keeping them safe and protected from predators during the night.
Quails are highly social birds and prefer to live in a group of their own species. However, they can also be kept with chickens as they have similar living requirements and are generally peaceful birds. Quails are good companions for chickens as they can help to control insect infestations, can be integrated into an existing flock easily, and do not require as much space as chickens do. Additionally, quails lay smaller (but very tasty) eggs that can supplement the chicken’s eggs, making them an excellent addition to a backyard poultry flock.
Rabbits
Rabbits can make great companions for chickens as well. They require a similar living environment to chickens and tend to get along well with them. Rabbits are quiet, clean, and require minimal space, making them an excellent addition to any backyard. Rabbits can also provide you with compost for your garden, making them a useful addition to any homestead. However, it’s important to provide rabbits with their own sleeping space as they can be territorial and may become aggressive with chickens if they feel threatened.
Rabbits have specific living requirements, including access to fresh, clean water, a well-ventilated living space that is protected from extreme temperatures and predators, and a balanced diet of hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets. They are social animals and require plenty of space to move around and exercise. Housing rabbits with chickens is beneficial because rabbits can help keep the chicken coop clean by eating leftover food scraps and droppings, and their presence can deter rodents and other pests. Additionally, rabbits can benefit from the protection of chickens from predators such as hawks and other birds of prey. Overall, rabbits and chickens make great companions as they share similar living requirements and can work together to create a thriving homestead.
Cats
Cats can be excellent companions for your backyard flock as they help keep rodents and other pests at bay. They are also relatively low maintenance and can provide you and your chickens with companionship. It’s important to note that cats are natural hunters and may pose a threat to smaller chicken breeds.
Additionally, it’s essential to supervise interactions between cats and chickens, as cats can become aggressive if they feel threatened. It is best to introduce cats to your chickens when the cat is very young, so they’ll get used to the chickens. Once a cat is used to a flock, it will protect the flock.
Cats are relatively low-maintenance pets that have a few basic living requirements. They need access to food and water, a safe and comfortable place to sleep, and some opportunities to play and explore. Cats are also highly skilled predators that are known for their ability to catch mice, rats, and other small animals. This makes them a valuable addition to any backyard flock of chickens.
Cats can help protect chickens from rodents, and their mere presence may deter other predators from approaching the coop. While cats and chickens may seem like an odd combination, they can actually make great companions and work together to create a safer and cleaner environment for everyone.
Dogs
Dogs can be great protectors of your backyard flock and can provide your chickens with companionship. However, it’s important to choose the right dog breed for your backyard chickens because some dog breeds are more predatory than others.
Breeds such as Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds are known for their ability to protect livestock, making them great options for backyard chicken owners. It’s important to train your dog to recognize chickens as members of the family and to supervise interactions between dogs and chickens at all times.
Dogs are social animals and require plenty of exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. They also need a safe and comfortable place to sleep, as well as access to clean water and nutritious food.
When it comes to keeping them with chickens, dogs can actually be very beneficial. They can provide protection against predators such as coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, keeping the flock safe from harm. Additionally, dogs can help keep the chickens in their designated areas, preventing them from wandering too far and causing mischief. With the proper training and supervision, dogs and chickens can coexist happily and form an unlikely but effective partnership.
Conclusion
No matter which animal you choose as a companion for your backyard flock, you’ll want to ensure they are safe from predators. Run-Chicken’s automatic chicken coop doors are made of sturdy aluminum that will keep even the cleverest predators out. Automatic chicken coop doors from Run-Chicken have a walk-through dimension of 10” by 8”, so you can be sure it is large enough for most animals that you can pair with your chickens. An automatic chicken coop door can also help you save time by opening and closing automatically–either at a set time or via the sunlight.
Adding other animals to your backyard flock can be a great way to provide your chickens with companionship while you’ll reap other benefits such as weed control and pest management. However, it’s essential to choose the right animals to get along with your chickens and to provide them with their own space and resources. By following these guidelines, you can ensure a harmonious environment for all the animals in your backyard.
