Finally rounded up!

[Imquackingup]

So I finally caught all five ducks and just in time as we're getting snow and ice tonight.They have all stepped into the coop but so far have come back out.Should I get them all in and shut the door on the coop or leave it open and let them decide if they want to go in?. I have some pine shavings and straw inside. Will that be enough to keep them warm? I also bought a brooding lamp but cant put it in the coop, will it be safe outside in the weather and pointing toward the coop? The coop is kinda small and so is the pen, I think they are acting claustrophobic 2 are nipping at each other.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So I finally caught all five ducks and just in time as we're getting snow and ice tonight.They have all stepped into the coop but so far have come back out.Should I get them all in and shut the door on the coop or leave it open and let them decide if they want to go in?. I have some pine shavings and straw inside. Will that be enough to keep them warm? I also bought a brooding lamp but cant put it in the coop, will it be safe outside in the weather and pointing toward the coop? The coop is kinda small and so is the pen, I think they are acting claustrophobic 2 are nipping at each other.

I'd personally put them inside once it gets dark they will settle down and they won't need heat they have down coats on under their feathers. Do they have enough room to lay down with out touching ducks don't like to touch when sleeping.

@Imquackingup

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

A little more information will help us to answer your questions.
How old and what breeds are the ducks in question? Can you post a couple of photos of your duck house - or at the very least give us the specs as far as dimensions, ventilation, etc? Is there a pen around the area of the house to keep them in the general vicinity (you mentioned having had to "catch" all of them)?
If your ducks are fully feathered birds that are otherwise healthy, there is no need for supplemental heat to be provided as long as the house you have for them offers sufficient protection from the elements for their natural defenses against the weather to keep them warm as nature intends. The addition of a heat lamp is generally more of a danger than a benefit, and being mounted outside would further lessen what little benefit may be offered.
Whether it would be better to confine them or not is going to depend on how much room is offered by the house they would be in, the amount of ventilation in that house, your ability to maintain sanitary conditions in the confined space and the general temperament of the ducks. I always allowed the birds to determine whether they felt it necessary to go in or not - even in snow/ice storms.

 

[Imquackingup]

I have 5 Peking ducks that were dumped at my pond . They are about 8 or 9 months old. The coop is an Ecoflex Fontana chicken barn with a Jumbo Fontana chicken pen attached to it from New Age Pet.The barn is 46" by 58" and the pen is an additional 42" by 60". I have read that duck coops need good ventilation and there are slits on all sides but not sure if that is enough. I'm also not sure whether I should let them go out to the pond or keep them penned tomorrow. I just want them to be safe. I f I keep them penned up for a few days then let them out, will they come back or stay away since they've lived on the pond all this time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 5 Peking ducks that were dumped at my pond . They are about 8 or 9 months old. The coop is an Ecoflex Fontana chicken barn with a Jumbo Fontana chicken pen attached to it from New Age Pet.The barn is 46" by 58" and the pen is an additional 42" by 60". I have read that duck coops need good ventilation and there are slits on all sides but not sure if that is enough. I'm also not sure whether I should let them go out to the pond or keep them penned tomorrow. I just want them to be safe. I f I keep them penned up for a few days then let them out, will they come back or stay away since they've lived on the pond all this time.

I'd bet they will go straight back to the pond. Where do you feed them? if you feed inside their pen close to their house they should come for food since there isn't much to eat this time of year. Then you can watch for when they come and go and close their pen up. Or just keep them inside their pen till the weather improves. They may not like it but they will be safer than out where a predator could get them.

That was so sweet of you to take them in. I looked up their house and pen It's nice.

 

[Imquackingup]

Thank you for your input, I really have no idea what I'm doing. I'm a city girl with definitely no ducking experience. Originally there were 6 ducks but one got killed. Not sure how it happened, could have been a dog or even a neighbor but either way, I can't see fit to let them suffer. It's not their fault that they were placed here with no defenses.

 

[Adalida]

If they're anything like mine, they'll make a beeline for that pond if you give them half a chance. I wouldn't worry about them if they prefer to stay outside in their pen rather than go into their house. Last night it was -30 F here, and five out of my six ducks were out in the run, rather than snuggling into their straw bed in their cozy house. I'm amazed at how well those feathers insulate them. Don't be surprised if you get very, very attached to the little knuckleheads, ducks have so much personality.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If they're anything like mine, they'll make a beeline for that pond if you give them half a chance. I wouldn't worry about them if they prefer to stay outside in their pen rather than go into their house. Last night it was -30 F here, and five out of my six ducks were out in the run, rather than snuggling into their straw bed in their cozy house. I'm amazed at how well those feathers insulate them. Don't be surprised if you get very, very attached to the little knuckleheads, ducks have so much personality.

X 2 on both the beeline and the attachment. Provide the option and they'll decide what they need.

 

[Imquackingup]

Thank you all for your input but now have another issue. Went out to check on the ducks and found a raccoon hanging around. I shut the door to the coop but have read so much about how raccoons will stop at nothing to get to ducks or chickens. I don't think the setup is secure enough to keep them 100% safe so is it better to have them all out on their own or confined like "sitting ducks"? I'm so scared right now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you all for your input but now have another issue. Went out to check on the ducks and found a raccoon hanging around. I shut the door to the coop but have read so much about how raccoons will stop at nothing to get to ducks or chickens. I don't think the setup is secure enough to keep them 100% safe so is it better to have them all out on their own or confined like "sitting ducks"? I'm so scared right now.

I hope you locked them up tight in their house. Raccoons will swim too. They really need to be locked in a secure house at night that is when most predators are roaming around looking for an easy meal. How could a Pekin escape there isn't any way. They can't fly or run fast and swimming means nothing to coons or coyotes or foxes just to name a few. Leaving them out to chose what they want is a death sentence. Hardware cloth securely attached up 3' all around the run and top and a skirt going out 2' from outside of the run will protect your ducks. They need our protection.

How did they do last night?@Imquackingup