Well it looks like its that time of year again when we all begin to think about weather proofing our duck houses. Sigh. Oh how I dread frozen water dishes, lugging out buckets of water, shoveling a path out to the duck house, and walking through knee high snow. I have found a few helpful tips along the way though....
-Last year I thought of how to make clean up easier at the end of Winter since I cannot clean the house out for about 3 or 4 months. The previous year I used the layer method and just layered hay all winter. At the end of winter it took about 3 or 4 garbage bags and hours of backbreaking work. So last year I thought to first put a tarp down and staple it to the wall. At the end of winter simply just take the 4 corners and remove it all at once. At the same time it kept the poop from being directly on the floors and walls. It was extremely heavy so I had to garbage back some of the poop and hay, but it was much easier and less messy!
-Although some say not to use a heat lamp I do! I use a red lamp so its not too hot for them, just helps a little. Most of all it helps me sleep at night knowing that they have a little more warmth even in below zero weather.
-I leave the run open for them to go outside to eat and drink during winter, but I line the walls of the run with plastic. This keeps the snow, wind and chill out.
If anyone has some tips on how not to freeze the water please let me know! I have tried the heated water bucket but it didnt work and still froze. I'm considering using a bubbler from a fish tank to keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing over.
Let me know what you do!
-Last year I thought of how to make clean up easier at the end of Winter since I cannot clean the house out for about 3 or 4 months. The previous year I used the layer method and just layered hay all winter. At the end of winter it took about 3 or 4 garbage bags and hours of backbreaking work. So last year I thought to first put a tarp down and staple it to the wall. At the end of winter simply just take the 4 corners and remove it all at once. At the same time it kept the poop from being directly on the floors and walls. It was extremely heavy so I had to garbage back some of the poop and hay, but it was much easier and less messy!
-Although some say not to use a heat lamp I do! I use a red lamp so its not too hot for them, just helps a little. Most of all it helps me sleep at night knowing that they have a little more warmth even in below zero weather.
-I leave the run open for them to go outside to eat and drink during winter, but I line the walls of the run with plastic. This keeps the snow, wind and chill out.
If anyone has some tips on how not to freeze the water please let me know! I have tried the heated water bucket but it didnt work and still froze. I'm considering using a bubbler from a fish tank to keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing over.
Let me know what you do!
