New to keeping ducks

[LittleBo]

Hi, I have a few, well lots of questions on keeping ducks..
1. Here, where I live, we have really bad winters.. lots of snow, so how shall I keep them warm?
2. I read I can only use straw for bedding, but when it snows and I let my ducks out in the morning, can I put some hay down for them to walk on so their little feet don't get cold?
3. I built my own duck coop, should I put some little holes in the top at the sides? Just so when I shut them in at night it's not completely closed off?
4.I have four ducks, do I need a drake?

I'll only write a few so I don't bombard everyone with lots of answers to write
I'll thank you in advance for all your comments and advice!

Little Bo Peep.

 

[Carcajou]

Hi, I have a few, well lots of questions on keeping ducks..
1. Here, where I live, we have really bad winters.. lots of snow, so how shall I keep them warm?
2. I read I can only use straw for bedding, but when it snows and I let my ducks out in the morning, can I put some hay down for them to walk on so their little feet don't get cold?
3. I built my own duck coop, should I put some little holes in the top at the sides? Just so when I shut them in at night it's not completely closed off?
4.I have four ducks, do I need a drake?

I'll only write a few so I don't bombard everyone with lots of answers to write
I'll thank you in advance for all your comments and advice!

Little Bo Peep.

, glad you joined!

In answer to your questions,
1. Adult ducks are quite winter hardy and except for some of the smaller breeds (as I have read) cold and snow are not huge obstacles. My Khaki Campbells wallow around in the snow unless it gets more than a foot deep. Then I shovel a path to the pond for them (I am blessed with a spring-fed pond which makes duck management a whole lot easier than some have it).
2. There are a number of bedding options. I use wood shavings and use the deep litter method. Cold shouldn't bother their feet unless they have been in warm water then out in the snow.
3. Ducks need lots of ventilation. I recommend cutting large holes in the sides of your coop (I have an awning over the one on the windward side to keep the weather from getting the bedding wet and messy) and SECURELY covering them with hardware cloth. Even an entire side can be just hardware cloth fastened so predators can not pry it off.
4. The recommendation is usually 1 drake to 3-4 ducks. I have 1 drake and five ducks and at times I am not sure I would want and fewer ducks with him around.

You might try reading the "stickies" in this forum. Lots of good information there.
Here are a couple of links also:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70/deep-litter-method

Feel free to ask all the questions you want. There are lots and lots of helpful, knowledgeable duck folks on this forum.

Best of luck!

 

[cosbackyard]

I echo everything that Carcajou said.

My ducks LOVE to play in the snow. It's the craziest thing.

Definitely put in lots of ventilation. Make sure the openings are above their heads and covered with hardware cloth.

As for drakes? I don't think you need one. But they're hilarious to have around and mine have always lead the group. They're no rooster, though. They're useless for defending the flock.