Ducks in the winter

[4littleducklings]

Hello! I’ve only had my ducks since April and winter seems to creep up fast. I’m curious as to what people do with their ducks in the winter to make sure they’re warm and safe. They have a small coop but other than that they’re outside all day. Any winter advice for ducks would be great!

 

[Ratchnick]

From what i have read they just need a dry coop with good bedding and ventilation roughly 1sqft per duck. Coop should be 4 sqft per duck. I think the biggest issue will be water.

 

[KaleIAm]

I think it depends on where you are and how cold it gets. Definitely make sure the ducks have deep, clean, dry bedding in a weather proof shelter - and access to their shelter all day as well. Usually we only get below freezing 3-5 days a year. Carrying buckets of water from the house got old fast, so we invested in a heated hose. That was DEFINITELY worth the cost. If we got much below freezing I would absolutely buy a heated bucket as well.

 

[LT71689]

Ducks are pretty hardy and generate a surprising amount of their own heat, especially when they huddle up together. But they also create a lot of moisture, which isnt good in both warm and cold environments

You want to make sure their coop is properly ventilated - resist the urge to close everything up tight. Proper vents wont cause the coop to get drafty (if there is a spot in the coop allowing for drafts however, now is a good time to fix that) You might deepen their bedding more than you have it in the summer. Some folks put tarps and hay/straw bales against the sides of the coop to help insulate. Theres tons and tons of heating/heated farm equipment designed for outdoor use in the winter. If you're getting freezing temps you probably want a heated water bucket (it might not be the same style as your usual waterer and you might have to get crafty with it to find a way to keep the coop dry)

Make sure they've got a space outside their coop that is protected from the wind so they're not forced to spend all day cooped up

 

[333113]

I have a dog carrier with the door removed in each of my duck pens, and I make sure it stays filled with straw. Dog carriers have lots of ventilation, are waterproof enough for most weather, and can be easily washed as needed. This can double as a nest. I do find that some ducks completely ignore the shelter and sleep in rain and sleet. But they do go in their crates on their own when there's a lightning storm or snow.

I keep 2-3 ducks in a 4 by 6 pen, and they get 1-2 days a week ranging around the barnyard, which is fenced against foxes. I notice more predators in the fall, so everybody is locked up in their pens at night.

For water in the barnyard, I use a doubled-up kiddie pool. For water in the pens, I use those black three-gallon tubs they sell in farm and feed stores. They are big enough to drink from or bathe in. They are also easy to tip ice out of as needed. If you place them in a sunny and uncovered spot, Mother Nature will help you keep them thawed and filled.

BTW, I don't heat outside, and I live in zone 5. As LT71689 said, above, hay or straw bales are great. If they have access to them, the ducks will happily harvest the earthworms, even in winter. When the bale gets too low, you can add another one on top. I don't use tarps anymore, because they disintegrate into little plastic shreds. I do keep a roll of clear tablecloth vinyl from the local five-and-dime for emergency housing for cover. Be sure to allow enough ventilation if you use tarps or vinyl.