Ducks first michigan winter

[clarkston_mike]

Any advice on what I should do with my four ducks this winter? They stayed outside all summer in the big pond I have on property and I will be running a pump in pond all winter but dont know if it will eventually freeze up anyways. I have a small playhouse I could keep them in but they might not like it, i know they wont use it on their own. Help

 

[Yetti]

if you have any coyotes in the area they will take your birds if the water freezes out. you need to get them trained to a night time lock up for their own safety. I have a big pen and a bus stop house I converted to lock them in at night. they don't go down to the pond unless I take them..( their chicken)

 

[farmdude]

They can handle the rough elements of winter.The biggest problem in the winter for ducks are predators. They have no where to flee to safely when the pond freezes. Food for predators becomes scarce in the dead of winter and they get brave and desperate. I would suggest providing them a safe, predator proof place for them. They will also need water to drink, so a heated water bucket will be necessary.I use a inexpensive bird bath heater in a metel bucket.Good luck.

 

[Farmer Mike]

Just curious here as I am interested in ducks. I have an old coop, about 10x10, that is about 5-7 yards or so from the small pond they would reside in during the summer. Would I keep the ducks confined in the old coop when the pond freezes or do they also need an outdoor run? My chickens have a fully enclosed run but would not go out in bad weather (snow), what about ducks? I have loads of predators and this will be my first winter with the chickens. My real only protection would be a welded wire fence and possibly electric strand to keep most critters at bay (sans the ones with wings and bears).

 

[farmdude]

Quote:
You could keep them confined for safety. But ducks are really messy. You would have to clean the coop regularly.