Getting ready for winter

[Quack head]

I live in Central Tennessee and Temps in winter is freezing or above with a few days below and sometimes in the teens. I have a 1/2 acre pond which did not freeze last winter. Their current duck house is 8'x8' shed with with three sides fence the back is enclosed. I am planning on using plywood to enclose all sides of the shed. The ducks are free range during the day and locked in the house at night. Any suggestions?

 

[DuckyDonna]

that is very nice

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Ducks are much better in dealing with cold temperatures than chickens, for example. All they need is deep bedding, protection from the wind and the rain. Remember they have a built-in down jacket.

 

[DucksOhio]

I see the small enclosed space in your enclosure...that’s great. If it gets too frigid, they can huddle in there.

The plywood boards for winter are a good idea to keep drafts out, as long as they have enough ventilation.

I live in northeast Ohio, and our winters are REALLY cold...days, sometimes weeks of temps in the low teens. Ducks get bored, but they do just fine.

 

[Duckie doodle]

I think the ply wood is a great idea. May I suggest maybe use straw or put straw bales around the duck house to keep warmth in. I live in upstate NY so winter is a joke here.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I think if you cut a few pieces of plywood and put them on the bottom 2 sections of the little house that would leave plenty of ventilation with the top ones still being open. It would make a good wind and rain break for them. Put it in with screws so you can take them off when the weather gets warmer next spring and store them for next year.

I used cardboard but where my pens are in under the cover of the barn so all I really needed it for was to break the wind a bit.

 

[DucksOhio]

I think the ply wood is a great idea. May I suggest maybe use straw or put straw bales around the duck house to keep warmth in. I live in upstate NY so winter is a joke here.

I lived in Rochester for a few years...you’re not kidding!

 

[Duckie doodle]

I lived in Rochester for a few years...you’re not kidding!

Yeah it's not fun

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I lived in Rochester for a few years...you’re not kidding!

Rochester, NY? - Had a project there in January: COLD!!!

 

[Gerty0630]

Co-sign on what most others have said. Plywood on all sides is a good idea just keep maybe 4 inches open at the top so you have ventilation! Add a thick layer of straw to the bottom and BAM. You good