Keeping Ducks in the Winter

[ThreeLittleDucklings]

I have 3 Cayuga ducks that are almost a year old. Last winter we kept them in the brooder room of our chicken coop, it is quite large. However, they left quite the mess and to keep the room from becoming soggy and nasty we had to clean it out weekly or twice weekly, and that was still not enough and bedding got spendy. They also began to get very oily feathers and needed to be taken inside for a bath (which I enjoyed as well haha) But I would like them to bathe themselves as needed, for their own health. Does anyone have any suggestions? Could I keep my ducks outside in the winter? Or are Minnesota winters too harsh for Cayugas? Any advice for next winter?

 

[Knighstar679]

I have 3 Cayuga ducks that are almost a year old. Last winter we kept them in the brooder room of our chicken coop, it is quite large. However, they left quite the mess and to keep the room from becoming soggy and nasty we had to clean it out weekly or twice weekly, and that was still not enough and bedding got spendy. They also began to get very oily feathers and needed to be taken inside for a bath (which I enjoyed as well haha) But I would like them to bathe themselves as needed, for their own health. Does anyone have any suggestions? Could I keep my ducks outside in the winter? Or are Minnesota winters too harsh for Cayugas? Any advice for next winter?

Cayuga were originally from central New York. While I am not sure how cold Minnesota gets in the winter, New York can get pretty cold itself. They are supposed to be a pretty hardy breed that can deal with the cold, to some degree.

I will hopefully be getting my first Cayuga from eggs I am hatching myself in a few weeks, and one of the reasons I like them is because they are from the area I live in. Meaning it should be a bit easier to keep them in winter and summer with out compromising their health.

I am sure there are other people who will weigh in on their own experience with the breed. But they should be able to take some time outside in the winter.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..As long as you have a good shelter with straw bedding they will huddle into the straw. Provide water and feed outside. I also have a covered run and put vapour barrier plastic around the pen to keep out wind and snow. Out in the Run I also provide a straw bed for them during the day.
On warmer days I allow my Ducks to swim in a small kiddie pool or large rubber livestock bowl..

 

[ThreeLittleDucklings]

Thank you guys so much! I shall keep this in mind chickens really and
Knighstar679 !!

 

[CayugaJana]

I would keep all food and water out of the their coop. Just put it outside. If they have a shelter outside they can get out of the snow for during the day they should be fine. Then coop them up at night. Lots less mess.

 

[Susan12]

Mine go in at night and out in the daytime.i think they are pretty tough.we live in PA.