Is this coop warm enough for ducks in the winter of Utah? Do ducks need a light to lay in the winter

[Nicoley2132]

I have had these rouen ducks ( even though this pic was when i had chickens) since they were babies, but now its winter time and i live in Utah so i want to make sure there warm enough. They have this dog house that is insulated with hay in it for now i will get some straw, there is a cover over the entire kennel and since this picture i have put boards around the edge of the kennel to give them a wind break and to keep the snow out.The house is kinda small so im worried not all 5 ducks can fit in it, ( even though if there cold im sure they will squeeze) my ducks love to roam the yard so i let them out a few hours everyday to. Ive never had ducks in the winter, but they seem to love the snow. They find dry patches after a while and warm there feet up but other than that i just want to make sure there going to be warm enough with the coop i have for them. It can get 0 or even - here. Also do ducks need a light in the winter to lay? My girls have recently quit laying, i dont know if its the light thing or because i just got them a drake boyfriend?

 

[rollkeeg877]

well look at the ducks in the wild if they can swim in that freezing water then the ducks will be fine they have water proof feathers and when all five go into the dog house they will make enough heat to keep them worm and just cause there domestic ducks doesn't mean they can't stand the cold all ducks came from a wild duck at one time so they will be fine

 

[Amiga]

I don't see a photo, so I cannot say.

Ducks do not always do the smart thing, I would not take anything for granted. Ducks are fairly winter hardy, but there are limits.

I have a thermometer (the kind with a wire) so I know the temperature of the duck house. I can read it from outside the house.

I would not guess about all the ducks fitting in the house. Take a look after dark. Someone on the forum just had a duck die because wind blew snow in through the duck house door and the duck was found frozen to the ground. Tragedies happen.

My ducks stopped laying when they got too cold. It is not just daylight. If they are spending all their energy trying to survive, they won't lay eggs.

What kind of feed are they getting? It is very important for them to get enough nutrition and calories to keep going in winter. What is their body condition? My ducks were getting thin, and were not thriving when they were too cold. Once I got them into a 40F shelter at night, egg production started back up, and body condition improved.

It's good that you are thinking about your ducks' wellbeing. Perhaps if you can upload a photo and find out what the temperatures are, and be sure that all the ducks are closed into a safe, predator-proof shelter at night that is big enough for them, you can rest a little easier. So can they.

 

[duckins]

Amiga is right their cold hardy but to a degree mine love cold and rain no snow this winter yet but I imagine they'll love snow to they do not care for the wind. Mine go in their pen before dark I have chick wire on top a tarp over that for rain and snow also have tarps on sides and back of lot that I let down for night to protect from the weather always keeping front un tarped for air. Everyone has a a framed doghouse where I safely mounted a heat lamp 4-5 ducks fit nicely in med/large doghouse so I have 3 houses plus my drakes are not allowed access to hens without supervision they're rough guys. My ducks can freely use their house or come out in pen i never shut them up with heatlamp they will overheat. Teach them to use their house when needed keep a thermometer and all should be fine. Just keep in mind they will freeze if not provided adequate shelter.

 

[harriedhomemaker]

My ducks are thriving in cold weather. Here's the page about my duck house: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-harried-homemakers-duck-house

This is what I do: I shut my ducks in their house every night. They go inside on their own at nightfall, and then I shut and latch the door. The floor of their house is covered in a thick layer of straw bedding. I like to use pine pellets, but I think straw is more insulating for cold winter nights. I have removed the water from their house because it was just getting knocked over and iced everything over.

After I latch their door, I stack bales of straw around the doors. This cuts down on drafts, but there is still some ventilation.

I think you need to make sure your ducks have a shelter that they can all fit comfortably inside. Then insulate as best you can.

 

[Going Quackers]

I don't see a photo, so I cannot say.

Ducks do not always do the smart thing, I would not take anything for granted. Ducks are fairly winter hardy, but there are limits.

I have a thermometer (the kind with a wire) so I know the temperature of the duck house. I can read it from outside the house.

I would not guess about all the ducks fitting in the house. Take a look after dark. Someone on the forum just had a duck die because wind blew snow in through the duck house door and the duck was found frozen to the ground. Tragedies happen.

My ducks stopped laying when they got too cold. It is not just daylight. If they are spending all their energy trying to survive, they won't lay eggs.

What kind of feed are they getting? It is very important for them to get enough nutrition and calories to keep going in winter. What is their body condition? My ducks were getting thin, and were not thriving when they were too cold. Once I got them into a 40F shelter at night, egg production started back up, and body condition improved.

It's good that you are thinking about your ducks' wellbeing. Perhaps if you can upload a photo and find out what the temperatures are, and be sure that all the ducks are closed into a safe, predator-proof shelter at night that is big enough for them, you can rest a little easier. So can they.

I agree while some characteristics remain from the "wild days" they are still domestic ducks and making the mistake of treating them like they are totally wild is not a good idea. Amiga has pretty much covered it, so i'll just say.. X2 lol

 

[countrygirl74]

I have 2 Rouens and 2 Pekins - They have a shelter full of thick straw but they only use it during the day or to get out of wind and snow. If it's not snowing or windy, they choose to sleep outside in the open all night. Our temps are dropping to 5-10 degrees at night and they STILL choose to sleep outside. Crazy ducks! When I go out in the morning to dump out ice blocks and give them fresh water, you can see on the Rouens that their backs are frosted. It doesn't seem to matter how cold it gets, they just keep sleeping outside.

 

[Iain Utah]

I am in park city, Utah and it has been an especially bad winter! My ducks are ok so long as they are put up in their coop (they go in on their own) at night. My coop is large and well ventilated, but sits off the ground, wood floor, and heavily bedded down with shavings and/or hay. I give them flock raiser and whole corn and fill a fresh bucket of water for them when I lock up, even though it will be a frozen block by morning. They are not laying, but have finished molting and are in good feather form and weight. I am seeing the beginnings of breeding behavior again this past week, so expect eggs to start up again soon. Try to stay warm and hope this extra frigid weather will be over soon.