Duck Coop/Run

[Hball]

My ducks are currently house in a 10x10 dog kennel with solid concrete floor that has been sealed with epoxy. They have a solid wood boxed house raised off the floor with a ramp. We will also be enclosing the bottom as well to add another spot for them to go in. This will be my first time having them during this winter and want to know any tips for surviving the winter. Also what to put down on the floor over the concrete to keep from them getting too cold or frostbite.

Also should there be something on the concrete to make softer padding since it has an epoxy seal on it? All sides are open, well meaning there isn’t any covering over the sides of the chain link so it’s more than well ventilated. I’ll post a picture tomorrow. I planned on putting plastic sheeting or something maybe more durable on the sides and back for winter to keep wind out. Unless there is another way that is better.

 

[dreamofwinter]

With ducks, think first about moisture management - make sure there's good ventilation for all their damp to escape. Wind breaks are good, just leave space around the top for ventilation.
Last winter my ducks were in a run with deep litter, which kept the floor well insulated and even a little warm (except when it was so cold that even the litter froze). It also gave them something to dig through - free entertainment. I started out in fall with about a half bale of straw spread in there and added dead leaves and lawn clippings. As winter went on I added more straw every few weeks - put it in big piles and the ducks will spread it for you. There's nothing my ducks like better than a huge pile of straw!
The sides of the run were wrapped in plastic with areas left open for ventilation. The thing I struggled with most was blocking the north and east winds due to the way I had foolishly oriented my coop and run.
My girls slept in the coop with the chickens. On the floor in there I had about 3-6" of shavings, from which I'd clean out the worst of the soiled spots every week or two.

I found the ducks to be quite cold-hardy (even on our 10-below-zero days) and in fact they preferred to be out in the snow and to eat ice whenever possible. Good luck to you this winter!

 

[Hball]

With ducks, think first about moisture management - make sure there's good ventilation for all their damp to escape. Wind breaks are good, just leave space around the top for ventilation.
Last winter my ducks were in a run with deep litter, which kept the floor well insulated and even a little warm (except when it was so cold that even the litter froze). It also gave them something to dig through - free entertainment. I started out in fall with about a half bale of straw spread in there and added dead leaves and lawn clippings. As winter went on I added more straw every few weeks - put it in big piles and the ducks will spread it for you. There's nothing my ducks like better than a huge pile of straw!
The sides of the run were wrapped in plastic with areas left open for ventilation. The thing I struggled with most was blocking the north and east winds due to the way I had foolishly oriented my coop and run.
My girls slept in the coop with the chickens. On the floor in there I had about 3-6" of shavings, from which I'd clean out the worst of the soiled spots every week or two.

I found the ducks to be quite cold-hardy (even on our 10-below-zero days) and in fact they preferred to be out in the snow and to eat ice whenever possible. Good luck to you this winter!

Thank you!! I am in KY so when it does get super cold in single digits it’s not usually consistent, depending on the type of winters we have.

Should I put anything down on the concrete during summer and soring? They have been in the new coop for a month now with nothing on top of the concrete but it is covered in epoxy. I spray it off everyday and sometimes twice a day and dries quick with the walls not having any covering on them but saw it could be hard on their legs and feet. Just when I think I’m done with their coop/run, then I see something else that needs to be added and get overwhelmed feeling like I’m not doing something right!

 

[dreamofwinter]

It's a constant work in progress, for sure! I finally got my coop and run just the way I want and now we're moving!

I would personally want something on the concrete - easier on their joints and feet and probably less risk of them getting bumblefoot from a scratch or other wound. Again I'm a fan of straw - easy to clean up and they love to sit on it/play in it. But you may find something else you like better. I bet that those rubber stall mats they sell for horses would work well, for example, and those can be hosed off to stay clean.

 

[Hball]

It's a constant work in progress, for sure! I finally got my coop and run just the way I want and now we're moving!

I would personally want something on the concrete - easier on their joints and feet and probably less risk of them getting bumblefoot from a scratch or other wound. Again I'm a fan of straw - easy to clean up and they love to sit on it/play in it. But you may find something else you like better. I bet that those rubber stall mats they sell for horses would work well, for example, and those can be hosed off to stay clean.

Thank you!! I’ll try that. Also I thought I had all females but this one has the curled feather so is this one a male?

 

[Hball]

Thank you!! I’ll try that. Also I thought I had all females but this one has the curled feather so is this one a male?

My saxony also has it but I thought by the markings it was female. I’m so confused lol

 

[dreamofwinter]

I'm not great at sexing ducks, but the curly feather is a pretty good sign. There are others on here who can probably give more information about plumage and other signs of gender.
Your ducks are beautiful!

 

[Susan Hunter]

I'm not great at sexing ducks, but the curly feather is a pretty good sign. There are others on here who can probably give more information about plumage and other signs of gender.
Your ducks are beautiful!

My male is much quieter than the female pekin duck. He sounds hoarse.

 

[Hball]

My male is much quieter than the female pekin duck. He sounds hoarse.

The two I’m suspecting are males because
Of the curled feather are both pretty quiet and when they quack it is low. Unlike by black Swedish. She is extremely mouthy and loud lol.

 

[Hball]

I'm not great at sexing ducks, but the curly feather is a pretty good sign. There are others on here who can probably give more information about plumage and other signs of gender.
Your ducks are beautiful!

Thank you! I’m still learning everyday lol. I did have some of those foam squares that people use in like workout rooms or garages that fit together like puzzle piece and put them on the concrete until I can afford some of the rubber stall mats. I like to keep it sprayed out in the summer due to smell so I will probably wait to add straw until late fall or when it gets cold. The two males are extremely chill and the old flock hangs out great together so far. The three new ones I got are still fighting with them but getting better now it’s day 3. I’m letting them all hangout today and roam together. I had a surprise visitor this morning and was wondering why my old ducks were huddles up next to the new ones that I had put in an xl dog kennel for the night and found out it was a snake that like to hang out by our house that they were scared of lol. But I got him to go away for now at least. I’m sure he will be back since he’s been hanging around with us for a year now.