Need help with ducks.

[winterducks]

IM not sure how to keep them safe in the winter. Their coop is completely predator proof its handmade. I was thinking about keeping them in the shed during the winter or even bringing them into the garage during the night. I have three buff orpinton ducks about 5/6 months old. they also have not laid any eggs yet. any advice beside a heat lamp would be great.

 

[J.R.]

I'm brand new to this duck thing too, but from what I've read it seems that unless you're in some double digit negative temps all they'll need is some deep bedding that they can snuggle down into in their coop. I think the trick seems to be keeping the coop draft free while still providing plenty of ventilation. Hopefully somebody with more than a few days of experience will let us know if I'm on the right track.

 

[winterducks]

I definitely think you're on the right track maybe its just morally I feel bad they are out in the cold. If I could Id keep them in the house but they are too messy.

 

[J.R.]

There's a whole topic in the sticky notes section that deals with caring for ducks in the winter. Good stuff!

 

[winterducks]

Thank you J.R!!

 

[Tilly6]

I have one winter with ducks under my belt. I live in the UP of MI and we do get double digit below zero temps. Our coop is not insulated, but is solidly built and I do have a heat lamp, but it was only on for days and nights when we had windchill warnings for -25 or colder. The ducks actually still spent most of their time out in the run. I did put straw down outside, so they could lay somewhere out of the snow. I never had any problems with frostbite or anything. I had 2 ducks who laid an egg every single day, no matter how cold. The others were less regular. Every egg usually froze solid before I could get out and collect them though. They really didn't seem to like wandering through the snow. We shoveled them a path and spot outside their run for their water tub. I used a stock tank heater and a heated dog bowl. The dog bowl died about halfway through the winter, so always make sure you have a back up plan for water. I had a heated bucket as well, that has lasted just fine. I bought a heated hose for next winter, keeping my hose thawed was a constant struggle. I actually used the heat lamp much less than I thought I would, they didn't seem to need it. I kept a thick layer of straw in their coop and added more often so it wasn't all dirty and flattened out. It was horrible trying to clean that straw out of their run this Spring though. I might have to figure something else out for this Winter.

 

[PatrickRoo]

Partially cover the coop with tarp. Provide your ducks with more bedding in the winter months. Normally in winter ducks will begin molting, so you will need to up their protein intake. Feathers are about 85% protein. When you give your ducks water, make sure to use an electric water heater, too.

 

[winterducks]

Thanks everyone! The tarp is a great idea

 

[chickens really]

Here in Alberta I put vapour barrier plastic on all sides of my run..I have a Tarp on top all year long..I use straw outside in the run for them to burrow down into...I use rubber livestock bowls for water, easy to break the ice out of...I water more times a day...Food and water is removed at night....When temps here drop below -25 I brought the Birds into my Garage with a heat lamp...Was not warm by no means, it sure was better than -28....Probably about -5?
I bought a better shed this year so will hang a Heat lamp in there..Will only use it if needed....Ducks can handle the cold, it's the wind that Ducks cant take...I also make a warm water salad of feed, peas, tomatoes, romain lettuce and sometimes a handful of dry cat food...Mixed all up into a warm watery soup....
I just do what I think is best for my Birds and then I can sleep well at night knowing they are happy, safe and warm...

 

[chickens really]

.....Posted my reply twice......