I have 12 BR hens 3 ducks & 2 Buff geese .. Since I just got them all as chicks in late February - April last year ... I'm good on chick raising but winging it ( literally ) w this cold weather creepin in ... They all share a coop . They like it . Chickens get the top roost - ducks and geese all share a nest on the floor . Do I take away the duck pools ? ... Mine have 3 small pools I could close and they could use a mud hole occasionly ? Idk .. Do feathers freeze? Do eggs freeze ? When does this "molt" thing happen ? Does it really effect egg production ? my birds are between 5-8 months old . All laying reg except the geese . And what happens w the snow? Do I still let them outta the coop in it? Sorry if this is stupid I'm just a first timer hahah thanks!!
The toughest part of winter is keeping the water from freezing. You could get an electric dog dish or a bird bath warmer. Ours did fine last year without a pool. They had pans of water which is all the ducks and geese need. Have some loose bedding on the floor for the ducks and geese and sometimes chickens to snuggle in. Remove any metal dishes perches etc as they conduct the cold. Our chicken roosts are made from 2 x 4's turned so the chickens sit on the 4" part. This allows them to sit on their feet and keep them warm. Your geese and ducks will love the snow. The chickens not so much. The eggs will freeze so it is a good idea to check several times a day. They are still edible but seemed to be a little watery. Sometimes the shells will crack. I didn't do this last year but this year I plan on having a trough full of sand inside so that the girls can still take dust baths.
I hate preparing my geese for winter but ya all my geese love snow and frost but my africans not so much they tend to wait till it clears a bit up and freezing water isnt that bad just break the ice even if its a metre thick
My geese don't mind the snow and cold. As already stated the water is the biggest issue. I take out water twice a day. The geese chew too much for me to give them an electric water dish. On warmer days I give them a concrete mixing tub full of water to bathe and swim.
