How to keep water from freezing

[CottonShaw]

Hey there! I'm new to BYC, this is my first winter with a duck, and I was wondering if anyone knows how to keep their drinking water from freezing up? I've heard to fill water bottles with salt water and place in their water, has anyone tried this? And does it work?
Also, my duck has been kicking her eggs out of the nest every morning, why? I'm finding frozen eggs laying on the ground outside her house.

 

[Spyderk117]

Hi and welcome to BYC! For water I don't do anything special, I just go outside once in awhile to check and refill their water.
I think when they kick out their eggs it means the eggs are rotten.

 

[CottonShaw]

This is my first duck so I'm new to duck behavior. I know the eggs aren't fertilized since her companion got killed by a stray dogs few months ago. I've been trying to find another male duck for her but I may have to wait till spring and buy a chick or two.
I change her water out daily but in the morning I go out to feed her and see a block of ice instead of water lol.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey there! I'm new to BYC, this is my first winter with a duck, and I was wondering if anyone knows how to keep their drinking water from freezing up? I've heard to fill water bottles with salt water and place in their water, has anyone tried this? And does it work?
Also, my duck has been kicking her eggs out of the nest every morning, why? I'm finding frozen eggs laying on the ground outside her house.

You can buy heated buckets at TSC they work on a thermostat so only come on when temps drop below 35* I have had a few of mine for 5 yrs still working great.

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Hi and welcome to BYC! For water I don't do anything special, I just go outside once in awhile to check and refill their water.
I think when they kick out their eggs it means the eggs are rotten.

X2

 

[KrisCVT]

I bought a heated water bowl off amazon...and I sit a fortex black rubber bucket in it....keeps the water from freezing, and also easy to clean because I can lift the bucket out and rinse it if needed. It seems to work to about 15F...that's when there starts to be a light layer of ice that starts to form on the top.

this is the bowl I bought...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y8GQ56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1