Ducks and water

[RJBast]

I just got some baby ducks 6 weeks ago. I have had chickens for 4 years so I know there routine for water and food.

The ducks drink way more water than the chickens and I'm a little concerned about winter. The Ducks are also very messy when they drink the water. I'm in Wisconsin so it gets cold and water will freeze.

In the winter, I have a heated chicken water for the chickens I keep in their coop, it works great.

In the summer I only keep the food and water for the ducks in their run. The Ducks are in their own coop but for the Ducks I don't want to keep any water in their coop because I think they will get everything so wet. I actually know they will get everything soaked because when they were 4 weeks old i kept water in there broader and the thing was just a mess. I suppose I could keep the heated chicken water outside in their run. Any suggestions?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Use a heated dog bowl. You can put something over the top so that they can only stick their head in and not their body.
Ducks need waterers with big enough opening to stick their nares in. Chicken waterers really aren't made for ducks.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I agree with Soon2BChixMom! A heated dog bowl does wonders for a flock !! Especially when you go on vacation during the winter months, and are afraid of having your water freezing!!

 

[llombardo]

I got mine a 5 gallon heated bucket. I use it now and will plug it in the winter. I also got a metal holder for it so they can't knock it over. I just put River rock in the whole area and the mess is just not there anymore.