First Winter in Cold Minnesota with ducks

[Miss Lydia]

Make sure they cannot get into their drinking water source when temps get down below freezing That could cause frost bite if allowed to sit in it over night. And sounds to me like you might need more ventilation in your house if humidity is at 73%. What kind of window do you have can it open from the top? that way humidity can escape but wind isn't blowing right over your babies. Or if you have a walk in basement you could do like @Amiga and keep them in there over winter.

 

[chickens really]

I’m reading all this because I have the same questions. It’s my ducks second winter and I feel rather unguided. Thank God for this website!
My ducks are pets and I just have 2. My coop is not insulated and it’s small, maybe 4x3 ft and perhaps 4 or 5 ft tall. It’s got little ventilation holes on the walls up top and a window that’s shut right now. I’ve been using a ceramic heat bulb but last night it was only 17 degrees in there. What worries me more is the high humidity, 73 degrees. It’s going to be in the negatives here for the next couple of days and I am worrying.
I know most people consider ducks to be useful farm creatures, but mine are pets and I want them to be comfortable, not just miserably surviving. I try to recognize what they want, is different then what I think is comfy, however I really worry about frostbite.

Supply straw as bedding with a bottom layer of pine shavings in the house. Ducks don't get frost bite unless their feet are exposed. Straw is hollow So holds in body heat to keep them warm.

 

[Animal family]

Supply straw as bedding with a bottom layer of pine shavings in the house. Ducks don't get frost bite unless their feet are exposed. Straw is hollow So holds in body heat to keep them warm.

I have straw in there now, as well as outside on the ground where they hang out. I will add pine shavings on the bottom for sure! Thank you

 

[Animal family]

Make sure they cannot get into their drinking water source when temps get down below freezing That could cause frost bite if allowed to sit in it over night. And sounds to me like you might need more ventilation in your house if humidity is at 73%. What kind of window do you have can it open from the top? that way humidity can escape but wind isn't blowing right over your babies. Or if you have a walk in basement you could do like @Amiga and keep them in there over winter.

I can drill more holes, the holes are about an inch wide, I don’t want raccoons sticking their hands in. I can also open the window a bit at the top, that’s a good idea. They don’t have food or water in the coop, I usually give them snacks right before bedtime.
I wish I had a walkout! Right now they are in diapers hanging out in the kitchen with me. Feathers are everywhere!

 

[Animal family]

So, I’ve asked these questions in the past, but I’m asking again because I’m still paranoid. This is my first winter with two Peking ducks. I have read so many things about how to keep ducks warm and healthy in winter but there are so many vague explanations. I’ve been monitoring the situation closely and learning as I go, but I am leaving town for two weeks from mid to late January, and that can be a very cold time in Minnesota. I have two great folks staying at the house to care for my ducks, but I need to feel more secure about the cold before I leave.

1.) insulation. We have a coop a little over four by six feet and about five feet tall at its top (pictured). We put foam board insulation about an inch thick with plywood over it so the ducks wouldn’t eat it. But I worry my measurements weren’t perfect and there are spots without insulation. I have also hung some moving blankets along the walls to provide more warmth. But everyone says insulation is key, so what does that really mean?

2.) draft free but with proper ventilation. We have only one window with hardware cloth open for the winter (we closed off the others) and it’s about four feet from the floor of the coop and about 3.5 by four inches. We also have a run door that opens from the coop that is open during the day with a hanging flap to keep elements out as they come and go. Is this enough insulation? And even with weather stripping, how draft free are we talking? I make sure wet bedding is taken out each night and dry bedding is added. I attached a pic of the inside of the coop from our duck cam, but that’s from before we had blankets up.
3.) Heat. Right now we just have one radiant heat panel on a wall, and one sweater heater (another radiant heat source) hanging from the ceiling along another wall. It only gives off a slight amount of heat when you are literally right next to it. Is this enough??? We get into the negatives here. So far their water hasn’t frozen, but i change it every morning and night. It has gotten down to the teens but not below zero yet.

I realize most people are vehemently against heat lamps, but what if I were to put a 100w ceramic infrared heat emitter bulb inside one of those heavy duty glass enforced plastic fixtures with ceramic/metal socket (picture below). I know ceramic is supposed to not shatter and these fixtures get great reviews. But is the risk that some shavings or hay gets up into the cage still high enough to outweigh the benefit? I feel like maybe the 100 watt ceramic bulb (vs 250) along with the cage fixture should be safer, but very curious to see what folks think, as I definitely don’t want a fire.
4.) when to stop letting them outside or in the run?
My ducks love going outside in the cold, and I have to make them come in and thaw when they get icicles all over their feathers. I have plenty of windproof areas to hang out in their run (a little igloo dog house filled with hay, wooden boxes and the like) but often I find them sitting out in the elements and I force them to a warmer spot.

I know that the people watching my ducks will take the job seriously, but I also know they won’t be paranoid worriers like me, always checking the thermometer and snuggling them when they are cold. I thought of putting an indoor cage up for evenings, but I worry this could hinder their ability to acclimate to the extreme weather outside, and I couldn’t keep them caged all day, as they love to jump and run and play.

Any advice would be so so appreciated. I’ve read books, articles, other posts, but I just keep seeing vague things like “insulate,” “draft free,” and the like. I need specifics.

Thank you!!!!

Your ducks are SO CUTE!
I use a ceramic heat bulb and my coop is smaller than yours, however I think I need more wattage, it was 17 degrees in the coop last night and high humidity.
I have the same questions and concerns. Sometimes I think that because I only have 2 ducks, they don’t have a flock to help them make good choices. I’m always showing them the straw or the pond or a good shelter...and I’m always picking them up and warming up their feet.

 

[WindingRoad]

I’m reading all this because I have the same questions. It’s my ducks second winter and I feel rather unguided. Thank God for this website!
My ducks are pets and I just have 2. My coop is not insulated and it’s small, maybe 4x3 ft and perhaps 4 or 5 ft tall. It’s got little ventilation holes on the walls up top and a window that’s shut right now. I’ve been using a ceramic heat bulb but last night it was only 17 degrees in there. What worries me more is the high humidity, 73 degrees. It’s going to be in the negatives here for the next couple of days and I am worrying.
I know most people consider ducks to be useful farm creatures, but mine are pets and I want them to be comfortable, not just miserably surviving. I try to recognize what they want, is different then what I think is comfy, however I really worry about frostbite.

It's the HIGH humidity you should be worrying about. Wash your hands and DON'T dry them. Go outside and see how quickly your hands begin to freeze. When you have high humidity in your enclosure that LEADS to FROSTBITE. You don't want your animals sweating. Notice the feathers on your ducks. They keep them warm and DRY. Don't go against Mother Nature. Sorry for the rant.

 

[ejtrout31]

where in mn are u located

 

[thumper650]

I was scared of cold too. My ducks have a cozy coop pannel I turn on below 25 degrees. So they can use it if they want. I use straw and shavings, like you and straw outside where they hang out.
Like others said they're very cold hardy. Mine almost never go inside by choice.
Mine are also very loved pets, like yours.

 

[chickens really]

I can drill more holes, the holes are about an inch wide, I don’t want raccoons sticking their hands in. I can also open the window a bit at the top, that’s a good idea. They don’t have food or water in the coop, I usually give them snacks right before bedtime.
I wish I had a walkout! Right now they are in diapers hanging out in the kitchen with me. Feathers are everywhere!

Mine is a Dog house and definitely don't need to drill more holes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Open you window from the top and see how far your humidity lowers please let us know. My windows on south side of their house are open st the top sometimes fully open from the top others times half open depends on rain and wind but there is always good ventilation flowing plus around top of the coop is open at roof eves and covered in hardware cloth. That will keep out weasels minks and raccoons.