Keeping ducks warm in extreme cold

[Foul Mouth Farm]

We have a prolonged period of extreme cold coming next week- night time temps will feel like -20’s.
Our ducks are put up in the pole barn with shavings and deep straw but will that be enough to keep them warm enough through this snap? Is there anything else I should be doing to help them?

 

[GodLovesU]

Do you have any heat lamps?

 

[Foul Mouth Farm]

Do you have any heat lamps?

I do have a few I’m not using but I worry about them being a fire hazard…

 

[StinkyAcres]

I'd create a little cave with straw or hay bale walls so they can all snuggle inside and keep each other warm.
I have an outdoor- and animal-safe infrared panel heater for my ducks. Any way you could get a flat panel coop heater (like THIS or THIS) before the cold snap?

 

[Canadian Wind]

They will be fine. So long as it isn't drafty and they have shelter. No heat lamps required, just nice dry bedding.

Mine did fine in -50 temperatures.

 

[GilmantonChickenMama22]

If you want you could also put straw balls along the perimeter of their enclosure, they been found to have almost the same heat retention as insulation, so it can help block any drafts and could give them an extra few degrees if they decide to snuggle in. I've had ducks in their coop at -40 windchill, and as long as they had access to a draft free corner with lots of bedding, they've kept each other warm. Another thing you could do if you chose is feed them high fat treats before bedtime, like scratch grains, unsalted peanuts, or something like that. Processing the food or treats helps them (any poultry/fowl) keep a little warmer over night as well. People in my area choose to switch from scheduled feeding to free access feeding for the winter for this reason, I just keep an eye on my overweight prone animals when I do this (I have a jumbo Pekin). I'm sure you can also Google other treats high fat as well. Just make sure they have access to unfrozen water if you do decide to do this...

And if you do want to use something to heat them, I've used wall mounted heaters like what they sell at tractor supply for chick brooders as they have no exposed heating elements and also waterproof feral cat house warmers (slipped under the shavings of their nesting site). They don't need to be toasty, but sometimes even a few degrees can help make a difference, especially in the extreme cold.

 

[Foul Mouth Farm]

They will be fine. So long as it isn't drafty and they have shelter. No heat lamps required, just nice dry bedding.

Mine did fine in -50 temperatures.

We are going to get some extra bales this evening to help with insulation. I didn’t think there was much else to do but I am an over worry kind of person with my birds

 

[Foul Mouth Farm]

If you want you could also put straw balls along the perimeter of their enclosure, they been found to have almost the same heat retention as insulation, so it can help block any drafts and could give them an extra few degrees if they decide to snuggle in. I've had ducks in their coop at -40 windchill, and as long as they had access to a draft free corner with lots of bedding, they've kept each other warm. Another thing you could do if you chose is feed them high fat treats before bedtime, like scratch grains, unsalted peanuts, or something like that. Processing the food or treats helps them (any poultry/fowl) keep a little warmer over night as well. People in my area choose to switch from scheduled feeding to free access feeding for the winter for this reason, I just keep an eye on my overweight prone animals when I do this (I have a jumbo Pekin). I'm sure you can also Google other treats high fat as well. Just make sure they have access to unfrozen water if you do decide to do this...

And if you do want to use something to heat them, I've used wall mounted heaters like what they sell at tractor supply for chick brooders as they have no exposed heating elements and also waterproof feral cat house warmers (slipped under the shavings of their nesting site). They don't need to be toasty, but sometimes even a few degrees can help make a difference, especially in the extreme cold.

Thank you for all the great information! I do give scratch grains at night since it’s been cold as well. I think I just underestimate the resilience of them. Anything below 65 and I’m freezing

 

[StinkyAcres]

I don't know what kind of ducks you have but my Muscovy ducks just didn't do well in the cold. I feel better now that they have a heater. But you may find that some extra straw bales are the only thing your ducks need to stay happy in the winter.

 

[Foul Mouth Farm]

I don't know what kind of ducks you have but my Muscovy ducks just didn't do well in the cold. I feel better now that they have a heater. But you may find that some extra straw bales are the only thing your ducks need to stay happy in the winter.

We also have some Muscovy, as well as 2 pekin, a blue Swedish pair and a Rouen pair. So far the Muscovy have been the least of my concerns. My little Swedish girl has been a bit worrisome. Maybe I will look into some other heat options for them. In case we need it. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it right?