Messy ducks

[Chicken Champ]

My three rouen ducks make quite a mess. This winter I will not be able to keep them outside. Any ideas on how to avoid the mess?

Thanks!

 

[happy duck]

When you have ducks....you have mess! Why would you not be able to have them outside this winter? Having them outside gives the mess a time to dry.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Ducks prefer to be outside through all seasons. As long as you have shelter for them to get out of the wind and cold, that will be enough for them.

 

[Chicken Champ]

Awesome, this helps a lot!

 

[Chicken Champ]

When you have ducks....you have mess! Why would you not be able to have them outside this winter? Having them outside gives the mess a time to dry.

It does get a little cold around here in the winter.

 

[harmonymw]

They should be fine through the winter there with a dog house and some hay. Even then, they usually elect to stay outside even in crappy weather.

 

[Chicken Champ]

Cool.

 

[PirateGirl]

If you are saying you can't keep them outside because of weather, we can certainly help you figure that out! I live in the mountains in Colorado at 10,000 ft above sea level. It is winter most of the year. It can drop below freezing 365 days a year. My ducks actually do quite well. They do better than my chickens in the cold. They have no heat or insulation other than some deep straw on the floor of their house. Photos of your setup and specific concerns/questions and we can help you figure out any modifications that need to be made BEFORE winter so that winter life with ducks is easy and happy.

 

[Chicken Champ]

If you are saying you can't keep them outside because of weather, we can certainly help you figure that out! I live in the mountains in Colorado at 10,000 ft above sea level. It is winter most of the year. It can drop below freezing 365 days a year. My ducks actually do quite well. They do better than my chickens in the cold. They have no heat or insulation other than some deep straw on the floor of their house. Photos of your setup and specific concerns/questions and we can help you figure out any modifications that need to be made BEFORE winter so that winter life with ducks is easy and happy.

I did not know that! that info would be awesome!

 

[PirateGirl]

Someone once told me this and it made me feel better...
Think of all the wild birds that live near you. Think of the ones that stay all winter and what size they are. Your ducks are probably larger than most of them. The wild birds survive and they don't have a nice wind proof coop full of straw to sleep in. They can be ok as long as their housing is adequate and you provide them fresh water regularly that isn't frozen.

I also found my duck water takes a long time to freeze. They ducks play in it/dunk heads in it/swish food in it so often throughout the day they are constantly breaking the ice that forms on top.

Surprisingly I often come home and the ducks will be sleeping out in the snow in the dark with temps in the teens. They could be snuggled in their house, but really don't mind the weather. They also don't mind walking in the snow whereas my chickens avoid the snow like it's hot lava and can't be touched.

Don't worry too much! Make sure they have a nice house, with ventilation, that protects them from wind.