Wintering my Queekers

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beaucock

beaucock

In the Brooder
Jun 19, 2015
36
1
24
muskoka
I am new to this n love my birds. 8 runners n 2 sebastepols. The geese are house geese so no trouble there. It's my runners. I admit I should of dealt w this earlier but I gots MS. It gets cold here -30c lotsa snow how cold can they take comfortably? I have garage I can make space in. I suppose they will let me know if it's too cold to go out. Any helpis appreciated
 
Each flock is unique. Mine stay in a night shelter that remains above 40F, though on sunny mild winter days, if it's 35F, they are fine for 4 hours or so.

And it depends. If a flock member has been under the weather, they don't stay out as long. If someone is molting (yes they molt in midwinter sometimes), they don't stay out as long. I watch them and if they are showing signs of being too cold, like shivering, walking stiff-legged, necks scrunched, lethargic - they are too cold.

My Runners are nearly seven years old now, by the way.
 
With -30 you might want to look into some kind of insulation in the coop for them. I considered putting up some foam insulation in my coop if they seemed bothered, but no one seemed to mind (as long as the stream wasn't frozen, then they got mad.) I'm not geographically far from amiga, and while we will dip below-10 some nights it's rare.

I think @chickens really has dealt with colder temperatures on the regs.
 
Thank you dotknott....

Yes, I have temps as cold as -30 Celsius....
My Ducks live in an insulated dog house...I use pine shavings in the house...Straw down in a corner of my Run...I put up Vapour barrier clear plastic around my Run...I also have Straw bales around the Dog house...It is great for them...Their feet stay warm and the wind does not hit them....I use a heated water bucket to water them....


Cheers!
 
Thanks for the reply it was helpful. At the moment they're living in part of my living room (sectioned off) I live northern Ont Canada. I'm not as prepared as I wanted to be. I have MS n love my birds but now my wife thinks I have too many lol. I jus think it will be too cold for 3 mo to go outside am I being crazy having them inside?
 
Your not Crazy...A bit overly concerned.....Ducks can take cold temps...Really cold temps...What hurts a Duck is windchill....And cold feet....Ducks sleep with their feet tucked up into the Down of their bellies and the Bill tucked under a wing.....Your Ducks would be way happier outside than in your house...

They are tough...

Cheers!
 
Ok cool I am keeping my eye out for a kids playhouse or coop already done I have lots of insulation n access to bales which are awesome for many things. Maybe I will throw together a staw bale house it's like Lego. Thanks again my wife will be happier lol
 
beaucock said:
Ok cool I am keeping my eye out for a kids playhouse or coop already done I have lots of insulation n access to bales which are awesome for many things. Maybe I will throw together a staw bale house it's like Lego. Thanks again my wife will be happier lol
Click to expand...
Yes...I have my straw bales around the dog house just like lego.....Awesome....Everyone will be happier...

Cheers!
 
beaucock said:
Ok cool I am keeping my eye out for a kids playhouse or coop already done I have lots of insulation n access to bales which are awesome for many things. Maybe I will throw together a staw bale house it's like Lego. Thanks again my wife will be happier lol
Click to expand...
What ages are your ducks? that matters in deciding if they are ready to go outside.

I understand Runners may not be as adapted to the very cold as other breeds but @chickens really I believe has at least 1 Runner so hopefully she can advise on their hardiness in that climate.
My first winter with Runners too.
 
This will be their first winter we've had frost a few times. But they are still very keen to run around I the long grass n pond. Thayre free to do as they please n come to the front door when they're ready to come in. But I will keep an eye on them as it gets colder. I'm gonna get the bales asap. I've got diapers for the geese they will be house geese I know they can't take that kinda cold. Henry the Canada goose lived w us inside cuz he/she jus showed up it was awesome while he was here. She was my into to birds. They're very funny w diff personalities. Even between colours which I never would have supected lol
 

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