How To keep ducks from getting wet feather in winter?

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Question is the title. It’s our first fall/winter w/ our birds. We live in SE Ohio, so we get snow,

 

[Miss Lydia]

What breeds? I have only had Muscovy get wet feather [only the solid whites] and after they molt in fall they are over it. So hopefully yours won't have that problem. I try to let all my birds have a cement mixing tub when temps get over freezing around 35 or more. that way they do a good job of preening and get their oils spread over their feathers which keeps wet feather from happening.

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

What breeds? I have only had Muscovy get wet feather [only the solid whites] and after they molt in fall they are over it. So hopefully yours won't have that problem. I try to let all my birds have a cement mixing tub when temps get over freezing around 35 or more. that way they do a good job of preening and get their oils spread over their feathers which keeps wet feather from happening.

Welsh harleQuinn. I was mostly worried about weeks where it’s always below freezing. Like.. we can give them heated water? Should we just do nothing? Should I offer them a spray with warm water? They LOVEE the hose misting them down. i just don’t want to get them wet and cold, but I’m really worried about wet feather!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Most of us that live where it can get below freezing and stay that way for a time don't bother with swimming water. They should be fine. On days when temps get say mid 30's I do fill up the cement mixing pan for them. I wouldn't use warm water to spray them if your below freezing or they make have ice on them. I do know that some members buy those livestock heating elements for their pools. You'll just have to make sure it would be safe for ducks since they may step on one and that may cause burns. My Runners and Buffs and Muscovy and my goose sometimes in winter have to go a couple of weeks before they can bathe other than their buckets which I call sponge bathes and they do fine. I do use heated buckets in winter for their drinking water so they always have water that doesn't freeze.

 

[ginny_e]

I'm in western Massachusetts with two runner ducks and a Cayuga. When I have outdoor water access (spigot on with hose hooked up) they have a kiddie pool. Once Temps drop and I lug water from the basement, they have livestock tubs so they can keep their nares clean and preen. They will bath in those some as well. I put a polyvinyl cold frame over the tub, to raise the temp slightly, I have no electricity at my coop. I haven't had any issues with wet feather. I also wrap the north side of my run in contractor plastic to cut down on the wind. So far it's worked.

That being said I would love a heated water source that didn't involve running a line from the house. I haven't figured that one out yet though.

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Thanks you all. We can turn our hose to warm but we are also getting a heated waterer. glad to know that I’m not likely to deal w/ wet feathe . I do have another question- should I not allow my flock into the yard if snow is out?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I give mine the option their house is always open so they go in and out when it’s frigid and snow and ice

 

[Canadian Wind]

Same. I let mine out when it isn't stupid below (anything below -20 C is stupid below, btw)

 

[Miss Lydia]

We can get wind chills in that are that cold and can get colder mine all hunker down in the woodshed or in their houses. The Muscovy never went into their coop before the Runners and Buffs were here but they actually taught the Muscovy it is okay to go in when it's brutal.

 

[the_kitchen__drawer]

Lol. Ours don’t like going in the coop, except for 1 or 2 who like to lay in it. We’re going to block off their under the coop area with tarp, probably (I’d do wood but that’s where the other ducks lay eggs and we need to be able to see into it, so we aren’t sure). But they’ll be going inside the main Coop (with a heater) when it’s brutal. Not quite sure what temp that is, yet. my brother wants the heater for the chockens when it’s below freezing. Not exactly sure if that’s the right temp lol. im sure the ducks will be angry with us when we do force them into the coop. We’ll have to get more roost bars up a foot off the floor so the ducks dont bully the hens for fun