Ideas for Blizzards

[Miss Lydia]

Speaking of eggs I found one buried this morning too usually they are just laying on top of the shavings so I have a feeling my Muscovy female was hording It was a Runner egg.

 

[3bird]

This morning after their first night inside since the spring.

 

[aart]

This morning after their first night inside since the spring.

Great narrative, by both ducks and humans!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just love the way they always have so much to say.

My dh had to leave before light this morning and when he opened the back door one of the Buffs goes hahaha dh said listen she's laughing at me.
They don't miss a thing lol

 

[3bird]

UPDATE: Last night we went out a little after 3pm and gave them their soup, topped off their pellets and cracked corn, topped off their water, and fluffed and added some fresh straw below and above. It was in the high teens F and not very windy, se we decided to not lock them in. A couple hours later, they were all snuggled in to the straw in the duckhouse. We debated going out and locking them in, but they HATE when we go out to the run after dark, so we decided to just watch them. They stayed in until 6:30 when they sallied forth for a drink and a bite and then headed straight back in. We usually feed at seven, but it was 4 F, and they were all snuggled in the duckhouse, so we decided to let them be since they had food and water. When we did go out to give them soup, swap out their water and top of their food, they were all snuggled deep underneath the duckhouse. Tonight we're headed for -7F. Tomorrow's high is forecasted for 5 with an overnight low of -6. Friday should reach 10 with an overnight low of -5. It stays like that for a while it looks like. For those of you following along, we'll keep updating our experiences. We hope everyone had an awesome Christmas! The duck egg Yorkshire pudding was the best ever (the ducks asked for a fowl free Christmas dinner this year, so we had roast beast instead of our customary goose.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My 2 geese thank you.

Sounds like your ducks are doing what they need to with out much assistance from you. Other than fresh water and soup. lol They are using their noodles.

I could never just leave my birds out to live through the elements with out protection as some have chosen to do, these temps are not safe for man nor beast. including waterfowl.

Yorkshire pudding, hum I'll have to look that up.

 

[3bird]

My 2 geese thank you.

Sounds like your ducks are doing what they need to with out much assistance from you. Other than fresh water and soup. lol They are using their noodles.

I could never just leave my birds out to live through the elements with out protection as some have chosen to do, these temps are not safe for man nor beast. including waterfowl.

Yorkshire pudding, hum I'll have to look that up.

Even though they all spent the night inside last night, we plan to lock them in tonight...and probably for the next few nights just to give them that added warmth that escapes through an open duckhouse door (and block any wind).

Yorkshire pudding is a favorite when we cook a roast. Simply add some of the fat to a Pyrex (or to a muffin pan) and then add some batter (duck eggs, flour and milk). Heat the fat in the oven at 450 for ~10 minutes and then add the batter. Bake for ~25 minutes until the pudding is risen and golden brown. Simple!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very good idea to lock them inside then you know they are out of the weather.

That Yorkshire pudding sounds delish.

 

[3bird]

Very good idea to lock them inside then you know they are out of the weather.

That Yorkshire pudding sounds delish.

Proof:

 

[Welshies]

Speaking from personal experience, I am gone but at home temps are hovering at -40°F. Chickens are locked up. Only 2 injured chicks have a heat lamp, out of 9 (they are 8 weeks).
I expect some frostbite when I return, but my coop is insulated, and out of the wind, so i'm not too concerned. I will post an update when I return to my house- they are locked in though.
-40° temps are severe, but I'm sure even I'll be surprised at their hardiness when I return.
Ducks and geese are even hardier, in particular because they have no combs or wattles. Watch for frostbite on their feet though, because their feet are about 30-50% numb naturally. They'll notice cold, but not if their feet start to hurt.