How to let ducks bathe in winter?!

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

This is my standard winter bathing tub. It’s a cement mixing tub from Lowe’s. It’s decently easy to fill using a bucket, they get a good bath, and it’s very sturdy, even if i forget to dump it and it freezes solid. I highly recommend it!

 

[twolilquacklings]

View attachment 2444737
This is my standard winter bathing tub. It’s a cement mixing tub from Lowe’s. It’s decently easy to fill using a bucket, they get a good bath, and it’s very sturdy, even if i forget to dump it and it freezes solid. I highly recommend it!

Thank you! I’ll look into getting one!

 

[twolilquacklings]

How about a big dog water bowl? My pekin happily bathes in one, and it is easy enough to bring a pitcher or two of water from the house?

Does anyone know about bird bath heaters? I have one of those frog plastic kiddy pools...would a heater work is it dangerous?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Does anyone know about bird bath heaters? I have one of those frog plastic kiddy pools...would a heater work is it dangerous?

I think 2 things may pose a problem there.
The type of plastic may melt. I do not know for certain as I have not tried it.
The bird bath heaters are only for very small amounts of water.

 

[ggiunta]

View attachment 2444737
This is my standard winter bathing tub. It’s a cement mixing tub from Lowe’s. It’s decently easy to fill using a bucket, they get a good bath, and it’s very sturdy, even if i forget to dump it and it freezes solid. I highly recommend it!

I let my ducks bath today (our first snow storm bath) which was fine, but after they got out their feathers never dried off. I ended up taking them in my house to dry them and let them sleep the night. How do you let your Ducks dry if they are outside in the cold?

 

[21hens-incharge]

It has been several days of very grouchy ducks. The pool was drained due to our very cold nights.

I caved.

I bought a floating deicer. I will be getting it all set up today. I will run it at night and remove it during the day so they can splash to their hearts content.

I am looking forward to moving the pool come spring. I am moving it so it gets sunshine all day in winter. I found my ball valve is prone to freezing where it is now. I am hoping the winter sun will help with that.

 

[DucksOhio]

Does anyone know about bird bath heaters? I have one of those frog plastic kiddy pools...would a heater work is it dangerous?

A good quality bird bath heater would definitely work. And no it won’t melt plastic. The one I have turns itself off at 38 degrees.

 

[DucksOhio]

I think 2 things may pose a problem there.
The type of plastic may melt. I do not know for certain as I have not tried it.
The bird bath heaters are only for very small amounts of water.

I have one I’ve used for years in a 10 gallon rubber bowl.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have one I’ve used for years in a 10 gallon rubber bowl.

I guess my thoughts are more along the wattage required to keep a pool thawed vs keeping a bucket thawed.
If the water volume is to high for what the deicer is rated for wouldn't it just never get warm enough to shut off? If it never shuts off would it not keep heating the plastic it comes in contact with?

In looking for a deicer for my 50 gallon pool (plastic Rubbermaid stock tank) I found bird bath deicers rated for up to 5 gallons, bucket deicers rated for 10-30 gallons and others rated for between 70 and 300 gallons.

I have a bucket deicer in my plastic water dish that is 5 gallons. So far it is doing ok as long as I rinse it in the evening so duck muck is not inhibiting the heat dissipation through the water.

The plastic of a kiddie pool is pretty thin. I have never tried a deicer in one of those.

 

[Gkundern]

Amazon

This is what I use in my 60 gallon stock tank. I leave it in all the time with a copper wire in the pool to protect the birds from shocks.