Adivce on raising ducks

[Backyard_Ducks]

I am wanting ducks but I would like some advice

 

[Terre Virzi]

If you are buying ducks without hatching, I recommend getting a larger bucket or something (for ducklings) and keeping them in there with a heater, bedding, food feeder, and a water feeder. Make sure they have plenty of room because before you know it they will be huge. At the same time, make sure you have a large, predator safe cage outside you can transition them into so you can move them outside when they have their adult feathers.

 

[chickens really]

Ducks are fantastic....Very messy and poop a lot....
What info are you looking for?

 

[Duckworth]

We used a large tote for the first couple of weeks, then switched to a kiddie pool with wire mesh around the inside edge and, eventually, a sheet over the top. We clipped their heat lamp onto an adjacent empty shelf. Your method of supplying supplemental heat during the first several weeks should be stable and sturdy so that you don't risk a heat lamp coming into contact with the ducklings or anything flammable or wet. The ducklings should be able to move closer or farther from the heat source to allow them to choose a comfortable temperature.

Whatever you use as a brooder (home for your young ducklings), make sure it is easy to take outdoors for cleaning or that you have some other plan for keeping it cleaned out. Ducklings are very messy with water and food and their bedding can get soggy and start stinking pretty quickly. Pine (not cedar) bedding works well. Ducklings need bedding that isn't dusty and won't abrade their feet. They also need to be able to get out of any standing water and should not have swimming water unsupervised until they are older.

Ducklings grow very quickly, so plan ahead for their increase in size and appetite. If you live where winters are cold, consider how you will acclimate ducks to the cold weather if the season turns wintery before your ducks are fully feathered and able to tolerate the cold. We got ours in the spring because we don't have heat for our outdoor duck house and pen and our ducks needed to be outside in time to adjust to our single digit F winter temps.

There are a lot of people here with more experience than I have who can advise about specific issues.

 

[Backyard_Ducks]

What can you do in the winter to keep them warm?

 

[chickens really]

Use straw in their house mixed with pine shavings...I run heat after -24C....Not so its too warm but cuts the chill...I use rubber stock bowls and refill as it freezes about 3 times a Day....
Just winterized my pen...I put up vapour barrier plastic around the run to keep out Wind and snow...Tarp on top of Run all year....

 

[Duckworth]

I was wondering whether I should put plastic around my run. We don't have winter weather yet, but we will drop below freezing in another few weeks.

 

[Duckworth]

Ducks do need to be fully feathered before they can tolerate cold weather.

 

[gilbert2]

K&H Pet Products
K&H Manufacturing Thermal-Bowl Outdoor Heated Water Bowl

• 
  This product features a 5.5"steel wrapped cord that ensures pet's safety and electronics are safely sealed inside the bowl. This product has a 1-year limited warranty.

• The K&H heated dog bowl is energy efficient, using only 25 watts. The internal heater is thermostatically controlled to turn on and off as necessary to keep water from freezing, even at -20°F.
• This Blue, 96 oz. - 8" diameter, 3 1/2" height heated dog bowl offers a drink of water to pets, no matter the weather. This product is made with PBA Free Plastic. The K&H Thermal-Bowl is perfect for any indoor or outdoor animal that’s thirsty during freezing cold winter weather.
• Easy Cleaning! Simply wipe inside and out with damp cloth. A mild detergent could be used if desired however be sure to wash all remaining detergent before refilling.
• This product has been attentively tested and is certified by MET Laboratories to exceed USA and Canadian electrical safety standards. Don't be baited by electrical products that have not been tested and certified by a legitimate nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• 96-ounce (0.75-gallon) electric heated drinking bowl for pets' year-round hydration
• Keeps drinking bowl free from ice down to temperatures to 20 degrees below zero F

• Electronics are safely sealed inside the bowl; steel wrapped cord ensures pet's safety
• MET listed in US and Canada; uses just 25 watts for extremely low energy consumption
• Built to last and covered with a 1-year limited warranty

This is the type of heated bowl I use for my 5-ducks. It is a mere 25-watts, so it stays thawed, but never gets even warm. I love it!

 

[gilbert2]

This is the heated bowl I use, in my old coop. It works great.