heat for ducks during cold weather??

[caroline11]

Hi I live in the pacific northwest and we get some pretty cold weather. This is my first year with ducks. I have 2 cayugas. I was wondering if anyone has tried using greenhouse seed heating mats? They are water proof and are supposed to raise the floor temp 10 to 20 degrees. I was thinking about putting one either under their bedding or hanging one on a wall any thoughts?

 

[HumbleHen207]

I have a feeling they would get pretty wet and nasty fast. I dont think it would be the best idea, especially for ducks, even if they are water proof. I live in Maine, and we get some pretty harsh and cold winters here. I dont provide extra heat for my ducks and they do just fine. Only thing I heat is the water,

 

[caroline11]

Ok thanks. Do you leave food and water in the coop at night? I tried that and what a mess so I leave it outside now. I have a fairly small house it is on a platform about a foot off the ground with pop up canopy over it and it is under a large redwood tree. I also have removable walls outside the wire mesh. I think it was supposed to be a chicken coop we just modified it a little. Also it is in a large net covered run with a pond we built.I also have chickens I got them first and this year I couldn't resist the ducklings. I thought they would do well together but no way the ducks are to messy and don't really care for the chickens. Thanks any other winter advice would be great

 

[HumbleHen207]

Keeping ducks in the winter can be tricky, after several years of having them turn the bedding into a 6-inch deep ice sheet, I found a solution. I use a submersible water heater in a deep bucket made for watering large animals such as horses and cows. The bucket is tall enough so they cant get in it and make a mess, but low enough that they can reach their heads in and drink. I leave food and water in at night during the winter, but if you make it so they cant play in the water the mess isn't as bad. Mid-winter thaws should be take advantage of to clean out the coop if possible, makes spring just that much easier....

 

[caroline11]

Thanks I think I have an extra aquarium heater I will try the bucket