First cold night!

[Amiga]

Eventually they will be outside at night when it's this cold, but I was just concerned about the sudden drop in temperature. Back in the 40s and 50s during the day and a little warmer at night. The coop was at 28 degrees this morning when I woke up.

The girls weren't too upset about their sudden change in sleeping location - both left me an egg this morning!

Go with your instincts. My 3.5 year old runners sleep in a basement that stays above 40F. And they go outside during the day all day if it is mild and sunny enough. They are quite healthy and content. No respiratory issues. No body condition issues. I agree with you entirely. Why prove a point, if you can accommodate them? There are only two of them, not a whole flock whose combined body temperature can warm a shed.

I am with you on this one, michellers. Good call.

 

[new2ducks]

Your ducks are beautiful!
My first winter with my ducks I spent by the window during the night too! lol Every time I looked outside They were fine and even standing in the snow! I put plenty of straw inside of their doghouse and even some outside of it and around their food dishes. My main thing was to keep a dry area for their feet. So every morning and before bed I would go out and rake away any snowy straw to uncover dry straw for them. I'm lucky enough to have a husband that is very tolerable of my love for ducks and he also works nights so when he gets home around 4am he breaks up any ice in the water for them and also feeds them if it's not snowing. We turned one of our recycling tubs on it's side, put a rock for weight inside of it and have the food dish in there when it's snowy. I have their food container outside as we have no garage or barn so when it's stormy or really snowy, I get baggies full of food and bring them inside so I'm not opening the container and letting moisture in the food. I do admit that on really cold and overcast days, I'm talking single digits, I boil water and take it out and pour it into the icy water for them. I've seen them eat snow too so I'm not too worried if their water is frozen for a short time. My ducks have shown me how adaptable they can really be!

 

[QuackysDad]

My duck lives on and around our 1/3 acre pond. The pond has a diffuser so it never freezes during the winter. Should I build a small shelter by the pond for it to get out of the wind or should I put it in the chicken coop with the chickens this winter? It will be warm in the coop but I will not be able to provide it with a place to swim. I live in north central Ohio where it gets fairly cold during the winters. Any suggestions?

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Go with your instincts.  My 3.5 year old runners sleep in a basement that stays above 40F.  And they go outside during the day all day if it is mild and sunny enough.  They are quite healthy and content.  No respiratory issues.  No body condition issues.  I agree with you entirely.  Why prove a point, if you can accommodate them?  There are only two of them, not a whole flock whose combined body temperature can warm a shed.

I am with you on this one, michellers.  Good call.

A flock of 2 will not have the BTU output of a flock of say 15. I've never had just 2, but I have left mine outside in all sorts of winter. The only time mine go in is during severe storms and I might use a heat light if temps are below 0. But I know that my flock is large enough that they can huddle for warmth. I guess I don't know what I'd do with just 2.... You should get more, then you won't have to worry in the future. LOL

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

My duck lives on and around our 1/3 acre pond. The pond has a diffuser so it never freezes during the winter. Should I build a small shelter by the pond for it to get out of the wind or should I put it in the chicken coop with the chickens this winter? It will be warm in the coop but I will not be able to provide it with a place to swim. I live in north central Ohio where it gets fairly cold during the winters. Any suggestions?

Hey there from MI. One duck? All alone? I'm not being judgemental, I promise, but I do not like the idea of one duck all alone at all. (See above) I do not offer water for swimming but once in a great while during winter... Just an electric heated bucket deep enough for bill-dunking.

 

[Amiga]

My duck lives on and around our 1/3 acre pond. The pond has a diffuser so it never freezes during the winter. Should I build a small shelter by the pond for it to get out of the wind or should I put it in the chicken coop with the chickens this winter? It will be warm in the coop but I will not be able to provide it with a place to swim. I live in north central Ohio where it gets fairly cold during the winters. Any suggestions?

I would put keeping the duck out of the extreme cold over swimming. At the same time, the duck will need access to more than just sipping water, for health's sake. So some kind of area - even temporary fence around a kiddie pool - for bathing, at least every other day. My runners have made do with a two gallon stew pot for washing off in the morning, when the temps stick in the teens for a few days.

 

[QuackysDad]

We rescued her and are actively looking for a mate. I think I'm going to put her in the coop and figure out a way to give her a pool without drowning the chickens and guinees.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

You know, I adopted a single female duck who had lived quite happily her entire life with chickens. I don't think she ever had swimming water, and I suspect that she drank from a nipple waterer. I think it can be done, it just isn't what I do. I think Amiga's spot on, that shelter should be the 1st priority.

 

[Going Quackers]

No bathing water is like a chicken never having a dust bath, far from ideal, i mean i guess rain and if there is snow would do but again certainly not the best route.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

My theory on water in winter is really simple: if its cold enough, water turns to ice. If it turns to ice, they can't bathe. Not here anyway. Every duck did have really raggedy feathers back in the Spring.