Ducks in wintertime

[Daphnes Mom]

This was my first winter with 3 pekins in upstate New York. Our temps have gotten below zero for about 2 weeks at a time a couple of times this winter with wind chills down to neg 25. I have a run with a coop under an elevated house extention with their "house" against our house. This set up prevents any weather from actually touching them except for the wind...they hate the wind. They will be a year old at the end of March. We have not used a heat lamp because when it comes down to it they are historically farm animals that have been moved to the suburbs.

 

[Daphnes Mom]

Sorry....didn't finish lol! The first day it was a lot of bringing them in and out for short periods of time, from their secured house which is usually only for the night, for food and water. We do not keep food and water in the house because I dont want the pine shavings to get wet and freeze because then they would essentially be sleeping on a block of ice. Then we couldn't keep doing that with having jobs and all so they were let out in the morning and stayed out all day, even on 10 below zero days. They were just fine because they were able to go into their house to get out of the wind.....smart little duckies. They have been very happy and I have upped their protein with tuna and meal works. Lately if we try to keep them in on the really cold days because we are home they have figured oit the hook and eye latch and let themselves out. It is inborn to be wild/farm animals! Just like in the summer when it gets over 100
degrees..... I love my ducks, since I've had them since they were a day old but I had to take the chance that they were hardy enough. And they are

 

[hockeygirl56]

I don't think there's a way for me to keep the chicken's water up high in the wintertime, at least. Their waterer sits on a heater to keep the water from freezing. I think my plan is to keep them in separate areas with separate runs for the summertime, just so the ducks can have a nice swimming area in the summer and the chickens won't be able to get to it and drown. I have a pond in the backyard too, so they can swim there when I'm home and can let them out (although my husband thinks they won't be let out of their area b/c he doesn't like the poop...he said that with the chickens too but...). Then we can see what they do in the wintertime, and if they get too cooped up in their area, we'll make it accessible to the chicken area too so they have more space. If they make too much of a mess, they'll just have to stay in their area I guess, although I'll feel bad. I drive my husband crazy with my need to keep my animals happy. He grew up on a farm, so he doesn't feel the same way as I do about them

 

[Enzo1812]

I'm doing the reverse. I started with eight Cayugas last October. I just ordered twenty five Barred Rocks that arrive the first of March. My ducks love water not only to process their food but just cause they are water-a-holics. They are very very cold hardy they want to be out in any weather but know right where to go when the sun goes down. As everyone has stated this winter has been very cold and snowy. The biggest issue has been keeping clean defrosted water for them. I have noticed that on the really cold days they rarely touch the water unless to help with food.I have them in a very old little building that was originally a small creamery. I have hay for them, which they LOVE, for bedding. I keep the water as far away from everything else as I can to keep clean up at a minimum. I also use a child gate to restrict the size of the water pan so they won't go all crazy duck in it. My trepidation is how I house both the ducks and chickens together without a race riot.