Chickens and Ducks in the winter?

[Duck_life]

Hello, I see many forums and article on these winter topics but I have a few questions of my own!! How do I prevent the ducks water from freezing? I have many water sources but my muscovies are lazy and don't bother in the water, my pekins still can't walk, and my mallard is way to small to get through ice and will not leave the other ducks. How do I keep my ducks exercising in the winter? like I said, my muscovies are lazy and my pekins can't walk, so how do I keep them entertained and walking around. Will hawks affect my birds in the winter? All my ducks (but my mallard) are white so would they blend into the snow when they're out or would the flying predators notice them? Also will I have to shovel the snow for my ducks? Will my pullets be fine, I have ventilation and tiny holes in the coop so wind could get in incase they get hot but I also have a board to cover it.. should I do that when it snows..? And what is the best bedding to use for their coops, I use straw since it is easy to get out but how much daily should I clean it in the winter.. since they might be in their coops when it is snowing... It is supposed to snow 3 inches today should I keep my pekins in? I suspect they have bumblefoot. Thanks

 

[PirateGirl]

When you are asking about duck water, I think you are asking about swimming water. Is this a natural or man-made pond? A stock tank? A kiddie pool? The type of container and how large/how many gallons will determine the best way to keep it thawed.

I choose to provide swimming water periodically on warmer days in winter in a 15-20 gallon stock tank as opposed to trying to keep something thawed for them 24/7. They do get thawed drinking water in a bucket daily, but not swimming water.

In larger containers you can typically use a stock tank de-icer or a septic tank de-icer which are designed for much larger amounts of water than say a heated dog dish.

I don't do anything special to "exercise" my birds.

Whenever hawks are around they could be a threat to your flock. I suspect they are actually more of a threat in winter as their natural food supply has been diminished.

My ducks don't mind the snow, they will barrel out of their coop into a 2ft. snow drift without hesitation. I shovel around my gates so I can open and close them properly throughout the winter. If there's more than a foot of snow I tend to shovel it down a bit in the small fenced run so that I don't have as much of a mess when things melt out later.

I've used straw for my ducks as well as fine pine shavings. I don't really have a preference at this point and it's whatever I happen to have on hand.

3 inches of snow is not much. I don't see any reason to keep birds indoors unless you have high winds/blizzard conditions

Clean as you see it needs to be cleaned. It really depends how many birds you have in how much space etc. Everyone's cleaning schedule is different.

Keep your ventilation year round. The moisture from ducks turns into ice in the coop if there's not enough ventilation.

 

[Duck_life]

When you are asking about duck water, I think you are asking about swimming water. Is this a natural or man-made pond? A stock tank? A kiddie pool? The type of container and how large/how many gallons will determine the best way to keep it thawed.

I choose to provide swimming water periodically on warmer days in winter in a 15-20 gallon stock tank as opposed to trying to keep something thawed for them 24/7. They do get thawed drinking water in a bucket daily, but not swimming water.

In larger containers you can typically use a stock tank de-icer or a septic tank de-icer which are designed for much larger amounts of water than say a heated dog dish.

I don't do anything special to "exercise" my birds.

Whenever hawks are around they could be a threat to your flock. I suspect they are actually more of a threat in winter as their natural food supply has been diminished.

My ducks don't mind the snow, they will barrel out of their coop into a 2ft. snow drift without hesitation. I shovel around my gates so I can open and close them properly throughout the winter. If there's more than a foot of snow I tend to shovel it down a bit in the small fenced run so that I don't have as much of a mess when things melt out later.

I've used straw for my ducks as well as fine pine shavings. I don't really have a preference at this point and it's whatever I happen to have on hand.

3 inches of snow is not much. I don't see any reason to keep birds indoors unless you have high winds/blizzard conditions

Clean as you see it needs to be cleaned. It really depends how many birds you have in how much space etc. Everyone's cleaning schedule is different.

Keep your ventilation year round. The moisture from ducks turns into ice in the coop if there's not enough ventilation.

I have a man-made pond, a creek and a swamp.

 

[Duck_life]

When you are asking about duck water, I think you are asking about swimming water. Is this a natural or man-made pond? A stock tank? A kiddie pool? The type of container and how large/how many gallons will determine the best way to keep it thawed.

I choose to provide swimming water periodically on warmer days in winter in a 15-20 gallon stock tank as opposed to trying to keep something thawed for them 24/7. They do get thawed drinking water in a bucket daily, but not swimming water.

In larger containers you can typically use a stock tank de-icer or a septic tank de-icer which are designed for much larger amounts of water than say a heated dog dish.

I don't do anything special to "exercise" my birds.

Whenever hawks are around they could be a threat to your flock. I suspect they are actually more of a threat in winter as their natural food supply has been diminished.

My ducks don't mind the snow, they will barrel out of their coop into a 2ft. snow drift without hesitation. I shovel around my gates so I can open and close them properly throughout the winter. If there's more than a foot of snow I tend to shovel it down a bit in the small fenced run so that I don't have as much of a mess when things melt out later.

I've used straw for my ducks as well as fine pine shavings. I don't really have a preference at this point and it's whatever I happen to have on hand.

3 inches of snow is not much. I don't see any reason to keep birds indoors unless you have high winds/blizzard conditions

Clean as you see it needs to be cleaned. It really depends how many birds you have in how much space etc. Everyone's cleaning schedule is different.

Keep your ventilation year round. The moisture from ducks turns into ice in the coop if there's not enough ventilation.

And thanks!

 

[PirateGirl]

I have a man-made pond, a creek and a swamp.

So if anything you would be looking to keep the man-made pond thawed. If you know approximate gallons you should be able to find something that will work.

 

[Duck_life]

So if anything you would be looking to keep the man-made pond thawed. If you know approximate gallons you should be able to find something that will work.

Alright, thanks for the answers!

 

[aart]

I have a man-made pond

How big is it?

They do get thawed drinking water in a bucket daily,

Is it deep enough to dunk their nares, they need that right?? Is it heated or do you just refresh daily?

 

[Duck_life]

How big is it?

Big enough for 6-7 ducks, i'd day as big as 2-3 tables combined.

 

[aart]

Big enough for 6-7 ducks, i'd day as big as 2-3 tables combined.

What kind of tables?
My 1'x 2' end tables?
...or my 3' x 6' work tables?

Is it a rubber lined hole in the ground or one of those plastic preformed ponds?

Would be hard to keep that thawed out in PA.

 

[Duck_life]

What kind of tables?
My 1'x 2' end tables?
...or my 3' x 6' work tables?

Is it a rubber lined hole in the ground or one of those plastic preformed ponds?

Would be hard to keep that thawed out in PA.

It's a dug up pond that our swamp filled up, their isn't lining in it. A coffee table..maybe like this x2?