Do I need bedding for a dirt floor coop in winter???

[hunterjumper999]

ducks are disgusting in the winter!

DO NOT ADD WATER INSIDE FOR THEM. make them waddle their little hineys outside to bathe / play and just keep it unfrozen as best you can! I made the mistake of adding a water source to my coop last winter...

big mess

 

[mommyofthree]

Quote:
Is it okay for them to go without water at night?? I put my 1 gallon waterer in the coop at night, I can't leave them out because the run is not fully enclosed and we have predators around here. They do make a mess but then I take it out during the day and it dries up. If I leave the waterer outside in the winter it will freeze, I'm thinking of getting a hanging waterer in the corner of the coop and then putting a shallow tote or something under it to catch what the ducks spill. They are VERY messy with their water!!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

Some people dont provide water for the ducks at night- But the way I see it is... I get up in the night sometimes for a drink...why wouldnt ducks want a drink too. Ok..so they are animals and they can wait- but its not hard to at least provide them with at least something to drink. It is much more important during the hotter months to provide water at night- especially if they are in a fairly small area. In winter they are not so likely to overheat- but its still better to provide them with water if you can. I just have a bucket standing in a larger more shallow plastic container to catch as much mess as possible. I take about a shovel full of wet soiled hay and shavings form the area every second day- so its not a huge job to clean up after. I would much rather spend the few minutes to do it- than see my ducks bolt for a drink when let out in the mornings.

 

[katharinad]

If they have access to food at night, then they also need water. I have a dog waterer with a plastic tray below it. It works well and I don't have a mess each morning. Here is a picture:

No swimming in the duck house. They have a kiddie pool outside and in winter they will get the concrete mixing bin for the occasional bath.