➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[ShrekDawg]

I run extension cords to my pens to power heating pads at times, but never to the big coop, which is where the ducks reside. I figure a fire in a separate pen would be sad but not devastating.

That makes sense! Completely understandable. I think everybody probably has one pen or group of animals they’d hate to lose more than the others.

 

[BantyChooks]

That makes sense! Completely understandable. I think everybody probably has one pen or group of animals they’d hate to lose more than the others.

Definitely. My Buffs are nearly irreplacable; their lives aren't something I want to play chicken with, even the oncoming car isn't very near.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Definitely. My Buffs are nearly irreplacable; their lives aren't something I want to play chicken with, even the oncoming car isn't very near.

I totally get it! I only have the chickens but I would be totally devastated if anything happened to them. Especially the babies but my older girls too since I’ve had them longer and am more bonded with them.

 

[CrazyCrttr75]

Yep, the ducks' pool freezes solid before winter even really starts, so I don't even bother trying to keep it thawed. It lives beneath the snow for much of the year.

Thanks! I'll put a bit of research (again) into finding some heat sources, but they've got to draw some serious power to work in the temps I want them for, and unless it works off a 12v solar source by some magic it's not going to work.

Well.. poo. I didn't know about the 12v solar requirement. Sry. I don't know if there is any way to insulate a bucket? If that would even be possible. But using a bucket like that with holes cut in it for ducks does seriously decrease water spillage. They are able to get their heads in and drink and clean their nares but may only just dribble a little bit after they pull them out. I just don't know how you would keep it from freezing tho. The kind of temps you get is difficult for me to imagine. It's just not real to me, even as it is very much a reality for you. I hope you find something that will work for you.

 

[BantyChooks]

Well.. poo. I didn't know about the 12v solar requirement. Sry. I don't know if there is any way to insulate a bucket? If that would even be possible. But using a bucket like that with holes cut in it for ducks does seriously decrease water spillage. They are able to get their heads in and drink and clean their nares but may only just dribble a little bit after they pull them out. I just don't know how you would keep it from freezing tho. The kind of temps you get is difficult for me to imagine. It's just not real to me, even as it is very much a reality for you. I hope you find something that will work for you.

I find that anything plastic shatters when I try to knock ice out, and rotating buckets is a huge pain. Insulation doesn't do much when the daytime temps don't get above 0*F for a week and a half. Brrr.

Thank you for your time—I really do appreciate it. Maybe one of these years I'll hit on something that works for my setup.

 

[BantyChooks]

Maybe a rubber bowl inside of a 5 gal bucket with holes? Hmm, I actually really like that idea. I might try it.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Maybe a rubber bowl inside of a 5 gal bucket with holes? Hmm, I actually really like that idea. I might try it.

That sounds like a good idea! Maybe the outside insulated with foam or reflective insulation too?

 

[BantyChooks]

That sounds like a good idea! Maybe the outside insulated with foam or reflective insulation too?

Again, it doesn't do much when there is no period of time where it warms up even slightly. I would do that if I had temperatures closer to 32*F.

 

[BantyChooks]

I just don't know how you would keep it from freezing tho. The kind of temps you get is difficult for me to imagine. It's just not real to me, even as it is very much a reality for you. I hope you find something that will work for you.

I usually start looking up houses for sale in Missouri (or somewhere else south) right around the middle of January. Then summer rolls around and I am quite grateful for not being anywhere near the equator. I do not envy the temperatures that you all get.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Again, it doesn't do much when there is no period of time where it warms up even slightly. I would do that if I had temperatures closer to 32*F.

Hm that’s true but it just might help keep it a little bit warmer in the bucket. They can help.