Lets talk duck keeping in frigid temps

[BullChick]

This is from Bantychooks. Adding a hinged lid keeps ducks from swimming in the water. I think the thing I did the most was to use the hot water pour over in rubber bowls. Next was the coffee cans. Being plastic with handles, they are easy to carry, and even have lids. I brought a few down throughout the day, and the birds all drank from them. If they froze to the ground, I certainly had enough more to not care.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

View attachment 2854083View attachment 2854084
This is from Bantychooks. Adding a hinged lid keeps ducks from swimming in the water. I think the thing I did the most was to use the hot water pour over in rubber bowls. Next was the coffee cans. Being plastic with handles, they are easy to carry, and even have lids. I brought a few down throughout the day, and the birds all drank from them. If they froze to the ground, I certainly had enough more to not care.

Brilliant idea thank you!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Brilliant idea thank you!

Using bantys idea i made a partial cover I sit over a cement mixing tub so they can't swim in it and added a bird bath heater to keep it from freezing. It has Worked wonderful for me.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Y'all be some hardy and resourceful folks! I get uncomfortable when it snows here, but it never gets below zero! Much respect, my cold climate friends!

I'm a newish duckie mama. As aforementioned, it doesn't get THAT cold here, but is there a point when y'all don't let them swim (assuming their water isn't frozen solid)? Like, can they go in for thr night if they've just been swimming? I know they don't really get wet, per se, but???

Forgive a naive Californian for a dumb question...

 

[BullChick]

I never stopped them from swimming in the pool or outside bowls. If God lets them do it, why not me? The coop full of straw is warmer than the brush wild ducks have around a pond.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Y'all be some hardy and resourceful folks! I get uncomfortable when it snows here, but it never gets below zero! Much respect, my cold climate friends!

I'm a newish duckie mama. As aforementioned, it doesn't get THAT cold here, but is there a point when y'all don't let them swim (assuming their water isn't frozen solid)? Like, can they go in for thr night if they've just been swimming? I know they don't really get wet, per se, but???

Forgive a naive Californian for a dumb question...

I cover my large stock tank for the winter and I just give them bathing water in smaller tubs on days it is t going to be brutally cold. But honestly that is more for my convieniance than theirs. They are made to handle it.
But I am in MO so we don't typically have extended periods of extreme cold.
I've never worried about putting them up wet from swimming. But my duck house is well ventilated and I keep a deep layer of bedding in there in the winter.
As long as they can warm their feet as needed I believe they are just fine.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I tell you what: I'll never complain about snow again! Haha!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

The coop full of straw is warmer than the brush wild ducks have around a pond.

True that!
I think people are more likley to run into issues where they are keeping the coop too warm and sealed up creating moisture and drastic temperature changes from inside to outside.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Y'all be some hardy and resourceful folks! I get uncomfortable when it snows here, but it never gets below zero! Much respect, my cold climate friends!

I'm a newish duckie mama. As aforementioned, it doesn't get THAT cold here, but is there a point when y'all don't let them swim (assuming their water isn't frozen solid)? Like, can they go in for thr night if they've just been swimming? I know they don't really get wet, per se, but???

Forgive a naive Californian for a dumb question...

I bought a couple cement mixing tubs and once a week I would bring water from the house since the pipes were freezing out in the barn. I was trying to avoid the seemingly inevitable winter wet feather. Some would get in others wouldn't

Edit: I just wanted to add that when it's not below zero my ducks have a 8'x2' round stock tank pool and are not stuck with little cement mixing tubs year round

 

[BullChick]

I posted this elsewhere, and I think it might be appreciated here too. It works for any animal. It’s also a possibility for putting the water in, but you might want to put a roasting pan with a wire rack under the bowl.