Lights for laying, heat for winter

[CelticOaksFarm]

This time of the year both of these subjects start cropping up more and more. Now before anyone says, oh what do you know you live in FL. Yes we do, but I haven't always lived here, but I have have been a kid on a farm, or an adult on a farm most of my life. So with that said.

Lights in the winter to keep them laying:

I know some insist on doing it
Personally I never will
Ducks NEED a break
They are hatched with a set number of eggs they are going to give you in their lifetime, allow them to rest so the eggs keep coming for a longer period of time
Laying eggs and regrouping feathers takes alot of effort, let them rest when their body tells them too
I personally think it is selfish to force molting or laying for ones own needs/benefits/wants


Heat in the winter:

DONT do it. They don't need it, it's just for your convince. They wear down coats year round. Be more concerned about heat exhaustion in the hot months and provide lots of cool water and shade.

If you live where water could freeze over night, buy a heated bucket, remove the water over night, or research heated poultry waters for use as well. No need to heat the house, coop, barn or building though.

 

[DuckLady]

Great post!

The first winter we were here, we did use lamps when the temps dipped below zero, just because we came from a more temperate area and I wasn't sure how they would do. Turns out I worried for nothing.

The last 2 winters we lined their garage with straw bales 2 high all around and 3 high in the metal roll up doorway. They did great! No water at night and we refilled their bucket several times a day.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Yes, Celtic, this is a great post! The books all tell you how many hours of light they need to keep laying in winter, but don't say that they really should be allowed to rest during that time. I don't have electricity out in my duck house, anyway, but I won't be putting it in, either. I can go back to eating chicken eggs from the grocery store for that short time!

 

[Going Quackers]

I did use a heat lamp in the most wicked part of my winter, i had birds that were shaking.. ours temps were -40C(real temp -30/-35) with wind chills. Now it wasn't an intense heatlamp by any means and they have a pretty decent sized barn so they basically came over to where it was when they felt they needed the extra warmth.

I think heat is one of those things you have to play by ear. Watch you birds and have them be your guide, i however never artificially light my birds, as you said they are born with what they will have no sense shortening that ability imo anyways.