do ducks need swimming water during winter?

[jillybeanss]

So glad to hear all of this. My husband has been on my case about what I'm going to do with my pekin ducks through winter. We live in Saskatchewan so we generally have frigid winters with strong winds. The ducks have a nice set up right now in a lean-to attached to the shed where the cats live but it's plywood around the bottom and chicken wire around the top. I think we will board the top too to keep the wind and snow out. We use a heated watering bowl for the cats so I will get one for the ducks. I won't have any access to water since we turn our outdoor water off. I'll have to bring a jug out twice a day for their drinking water like I do for the cats but unfortunately won't be able to have a pill filled. I know they love to swim but I'm happy to hear that they can survive without it. If we get a warm spell I'll try to give them opportunity to swim. I'll get some hay and mix with the wood chips we already use. The other option is to put them in the shed with the cats. It's insulated and I plug in a space heater. I can also do that in the ducks' area if needed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

As long as your ducks are in a safe draft free place they should be fine over winter. They do need fresh water so a heated bucket would work that is what I use so mine can wash their nares out. I wouldn't keep it inside though or they will be ice skating in their house. I keep my heated buckets out side. And it has to get up into the 40's before mine get any water to play in most just use those cement mixing pans for winter they can be filled and dumped easy. I wouldn't use heat with your ducks just make sure they have a cozy dry draft free place to get and they will be fine. If you have to keep their heated bowls inside because of snow I'd place it on top of a pan that will catch the excess water you know how ducks love to make a mess.

Welcome to BYC

 

[Newt46]

What kind of heater should I use for my ducks pool? Also if anyone has any suggestions on what to do with them for the winter I would be very grateful. Also, I have this duck run I’m not sure if it’s a good size and I have a tarp but it doesn’t cover all
Of it and was wondering if I should get another one to keep the breeze out. They do have a little coop I built for them but it doesn’t close, it’s attached to the run, not sure if that helps.

 

[Gkundern]

Is there a temp that is too cold to allow swimming? It gets well below zero here at times.