How do you Keep ducks in the winter ?

[Going Quackers]

One final (not winter related) question, do the babies automatically enter the flock in a comparable "rank" as their mothers? Nature vs. Nuture?
Thanks everyone!

Stay warm and dry out there.

No, they will have to get their own place in the flock. While our last clutch, miss Lilly was heavily dedicated too i am talking they were over 8wks and she was still doing the 'guard dog' they have had to establish their own place within the flock.

 

[Going Quackers]

I read a post by someone who said something very interesting regarding whether or not to use a heat lamp. The individual pointed out that if you don't use a heat lamp and it is extremely cold out, the ducks tend to eat a lot more feed. Some people worry about the amount of money they will spend in electricity to use a heat lamp on very cold days or nights. The duck owner's point was that you will either pay a small amount of money for the electricity to power a heat lamp or more money in the extra feed the ducks will eat without a heat lamp. I would guess a heat lamp would be cheaper than extra feed, especially if you have a large flock!

See this is where I am always lost, heat lamps are not that costly to run, to give an idea i have to have a heater for my horses trough, one for the farm cat and finally i'll need a couple for the ducks and now the chickens, cost of buying the actual heated do-dad now THAT is costly but hydro? i just have not seen the added costs on our bill.

 

[nonsuch]

Hi, Last year we used heat lamps for our coops and regretted the decision. We live in Wisconsin, where it gets bitterly cold at night, and this year we'll just use heated bases for our waterers. In the long run, if Ducks are in a building where they are out of the wet/wind and have dry bedding, they should be just fine.

 

[Going Quackers]

Hi, Last year we used heat lamps for our coops and regretted the decision. We live in Wisconsin, where it gets bitterly cold at night, and this year we'll just use heated bases for our waterers. In the long run, if Ducks are in a building where they are out of the wet/wind and have dry bedding, they should be just fine.

Not to be argumentative but i think one has to evaluate that basing on their birds, as i said(since i commented on this thread a long ways ago) I found i needed to based on some of my birds behaviour now this year since there are many birds it may not be needed, but i will do what i did before, watch my birds.

For the most part i do think ducks will be okay but again each situation is different.

 

[nonsuch]

Certainly, if you only have a few Ducks in a shelter and they are not acting right/seem affected by the cold, a heat source could be used. We found that our coops (even with ventilation) developed dangerous condensation and some mildew on the ceiling. My family all wanted heated coops, but by the end of the winter they felt just heated waterers would be best.

 

[Going Quackers]

Certainly, if you only have a few Ducks in a shelter and they are not acting right/seem affected by the cold, a heat source could be used. We found that our coops (even with ventilation) developed dangerous condensation and some mildew on the ceiling. My family all wanted heated coops, but by the end of the winter they felt just heated waterers would be best.

Well it was 8, but i think 'scovie ducks are a touch more sensitive this winter there is 17

so hopefully that will yield better results, i have noticed so far the temp is holding while were dropping already.

But we are in agreement one has to evaluate each situation.

 

[nonsuch]

Agreed, each situation could be different

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

My husband was encouraging me to thin the flock here for winter and I refused because my thinking was more ducks = better overall. I actually think it seems more complicated to take care of just a few in the winter as opposed to more. Mine are already huddling for warmth and yes they definitely want to be outdoors!

 

[Grassman 52]

All: I have read through this thread - One question; Do you make your Muscovys go in their pen each night? I have a large duck house 8' X 16' and it is shared with 30 Muscovys and 6 Pekins. The Pekins just started laying and when I go out at 7 - 8 pm they see me and walk / run into the pen as a group - the Muscovys just move out to the grass areas and settle in with my Geese for the night. For a few weeks I would spend 20 -30Min's making them move into the pen, but it was such a pain and they wanted to be outside. With winter coming should I start forcing them back into the duck pen?

Yes - They have a large fenced in area.

 

[Going Quackers]

All: I have read through this thread - One question; Do you make your Muscovys go in their pen each night? I have a large duck house 8' X 16' and it is shared with 30 Muscovys and 6 Pekins. The Pekins just started laying and when I go out at 7 - 8 pm they see me and walk / run into the pen as a group - the Muscovys just move out to the grass areas and settle in with my Geese for the night. For a few weeks I would spend 20 -30Min's making them move into the pen, but it was such a pain and they wanted to be outside. With winter coming should I start forcing them back into the duck pen?

Yes - They have a large fenced in area.

Mine all go into a mini barn(17 of them) but my fenced area is NOT predator proof for overnight and they all used to free range till i had an incident and lost 2 within a week.

and have been well trained since young to go into this barn.

If your fenced area is predator proof and they have access to further shelter then, i suppose one could leave the birds to decide for themselves.