Did I do something to hurt my ducks?

[katharinad]

I have 2 of those a-frames in the daytime outdoor run. They only use those shelters when it gets very windy or when it gets below 20 degrees. I do have some hay in front of it and they sometimes lay there and enjoy the sun. It's build with one 4x8 sheet of plywood cut in half at the hardware store. You also need 2x2s to support the edges, and some scrap plywood for the back wall and a little bit for the front to support the angle. The cost is about 15 dollars per a-frame, and perhaps 20 minutes putting it together (including the little bit of cutting that needs to be done. I have 9 large ducks that fit nicely into one shelter. My shelter has a pallet inside covered with hay. Keeps the hay dry from below.

My ducks sleep in an insulated duck house with slight heat, keeping it at 35-40 degrees. That keeps the drinking water from freezing. They also get extra light so they lay eggs. Mine get 15 hours of light per day.

 

[Terri O]

Quote:
Wow! Your ducks have got it good! Mine didnt go in last night but I did put some hay down where they tend to sleep and they were on it. I figured it would keep their feet from freezing anyhow! I have some that are still pretty young. It is -6 this morning and they are all out walking about! Brrr--Terri O

 

[JosieR]

Quote:
Wow! Your ducks have got it good! Mine didnt go in last night but I did put some hay down where they tend to sleep and they were on it. I figured it would keep their feet from freezing anyhow! I have some that are still pretty young. It is -6 this morning and they are all out walking about! Brrr--Terri O

Goodness, I'm shivering just thinking about that! It's in the teens here and 4 of my 5 seem to be doing OK but one is having trouble I think. What kind of ducks do you have??

 

[Wifezilla]

Get about 4 ducks in that shelter and their body heat will make it toasty warm, so warm in fact that some of the ducks in there fine down suits will move outside to cool off for a while and then return if they get chilled!

Exactly. My ducks have a big dog igloo and a small dog house inside their night pen. While they can all fit in the big one, they all fight to be by the door so they can go in and out as they get too warm or too cool. Anyone who doesn't feel like dealing with the shuffle uses the other small dog house.

I have a teepee in the run but I put their oyster shell in there. Sometimes one or two of them will go behind the bowl and nap back there. They also have a big prefab doghouse in the run. Plenty of places to hide, get out of the wind, or lay eggs in peace. So where are they usually? Running around in the middle of the pen or napping under a shrub

 

[katharinad]

Doesn't it really show different attitudes in ducks. Mine do not want to sleep outside and will make a racket, if the duck house is not open in time. I do lock them out in the daytime. They wont walk on the ground when the temp is too cold. They tried walking out at -2. First walk, then run, then tried to fly, and then just plopped down and pulled their legs up. On top of that they've made a miserable face. So they want hay down in some spots just so they can sit on it. I guess I raised spoiled rotten ducks. At least they are happy.