NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

What do you do in the winter for the ducks? I know you always put the water outside, but how do you keep it from freezing faster than they can do their daily dunking? I'vethought about ducks, but when I think of the wet mess, I stop thinking...

I've been wondering the same thing, not so much worrying about the pool because ducks don't necessarily NEED the pool the of water, but I imagine I'm going to have the same issues with drinking water as I do the chickens. Mine have become a lot less messy since I've been letting them free range. I keep their water outside of their coop. They don't need it at night when they should be sleeping anyway. And they're let out early in the morning so they get right to it then along with their food. If for some reason I think I'll be late to letting the out in the morning then I'll put it back in the coop. But I think they are fine from 9pm to 7am without it.

 

[stonykill]

What do you do in the winter for the ducks? I know you always put the water outside, but how do you keep it from freezing faster than they can do their daily dunking? I'vethought about ducks, but when I think of the wet mess, I stop thinking...

I just break the ice in the morning. Unless it is below zero they keep it open themselves all day. I would rather have more ducks and less chickens. Ducks are easier all of the way around, zero pecking order issues, and with the right breeds you get as many or more super jumbo eggs.
I'll always have my Sumatra's but the large foul numbers are going to go down and I'm going to increase the duck numbers.

 

[stonykill]

I've been wondering the same thing, not so much worrying about the pool because ducks don't necessarily NEED the pool the of water, but I imagine I'm going to have the same issues with drinking water as I do the chickens. Mine have become a lot less messy since I've been letting them free range. I keep their water outside of their coop. They don't need it at night when they should be sleeping anyway. And they're let out early in the morning so they get right to it then along with their food. If for some reason I think I'll be late to letting the out in the morning then I'll put it back in the coop. But I think they are fine from 9pm to 7am without it.

I never put water in any coop. Not even the chicken but with ducks the mess is 90% les if you just keep food and water in the run.

With ducks you NEVER want food without water. And yes they are perfectly fine from lockup to open up without food and water.

 

[Lynzi777]

I just break the ice in the morning. Unless it is below zero they keep it open themselves all day. I would rather have more ducks and less chickens. Ducks are easier all of the way around, zero pecking order issues, and with the right breeds you get as many or more super jumbo eggs.
I'll always have my Sumatra's but the large foul numbers are going to go down and I'm going to increase the duck numbers.

I actually wish I had started with ducks. LOL The troubles I've had with roos and getting two flocks together always frustrate me.

Speaking of my BR that is acting broody but isn't sitting yet, is about to get the boot if she goes after one more living thing on my property! My poor dog has gotten beaten up, the ducks are keeping their distance from her. She's turning into a royal pain in the ---. I think I'm going to keep the big girls in tomorrow and see if Stella ventures out of the coop with her little ones.

 

[marquisella]

Quote: What size bucket do you use in the winter? I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but frozen water happens up here about 1 hour after rewateing in the am. I do not rewater my chickens thru- out the day, they learn to drink right away. So, I'm probably not a good candidate for ducks...I love duck, yum.

 

[miquwid]

Last chick has hatched! Looks like another blue. So all 4 have made it and are alive and well. Stella's being a good mommy too. ;-)

Congrats

No such luck. Our little chick passed away a little while ago. It's eyes never opened all the way, so maybe momma knew something was wrong? I tried. And Blackie is out in the coop trying to sit on new eggs. Sigh. 6 eggs under Blondie due in 2 weeks. let's hope this hatch goes better.

So sorry I hope this goes better for you

Hello everyone. I'm new to BYC and enjoying having some much information at my fingertips.

Welcome

a few pics of our new to us Khaki Campbell's on our farm. 2 of them are a bit camera shy and not pictured. Plus they were checking out their new sleeping quarters.

Congrats they are adorable

 

[stonykill]

What size bucket do you use in the winter? I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but frozen water happens up here about 1 hour after rewateing in the am. I do not rewater my chickens thru- out the day, they learn to drink right away. So, I'm probably not a good candidate for ducks...I love duck, yum.

no bucket. That would freeze solid. I use the pools. Break the ice and the ducks swimming in it off and on all day long keeps it from freezing.

Yup drake is delish...as is rooster. Extra males of either are great dinner. We ate crock pot rooster yesterday. Drake next week, rooster the next, then drake etc etc etc

and yeah the same here with the chicken waters at times in the winter. Reices over in an hour Not the case with the ducks. Ducks swim in their water, chickens don't.

 

[marquisella]

Quote: Ahhh, so your ducks go outside in the winter where the pool is...I remember when I moved out here, one night under my bedroom window we heard quacking at 2am. I couldn't figure out what it was, but in the morning saw duck prints in the snow. They were crossing the road from my neighbors during the night. This was before I had chickens, you understand...
I called her up in the morning, and told her, their ducks were coming over to our house during the night & waking us up. She said she had trouble corralling them into their duck house & were loose that night. Apparently, duck feet don't feel the cold

After that she made more of an effort to get them locked into their house at night...and yes, we are still friendly...

Ok, I'll think about ducks....

 

[Lynzi777]

Ahhh, so your ducks go outside in the winter where the pool is...I remember when I moved out here, one night under my bedroom window we heard quacking at 2am. I couldn't figure out what it was, but in the morning saw duck prints in the snow. They were crossing the road from my neighbors during the night. This was before I had chickens, you understand...
I called her up in the morning, and told her, their ducks were coming over to our house during the night & waking us up. She said she had trouble corralling them into their duck house & were loose that night. Apparently, duck feet don't feel the cold

After that she made more of an effort to get them locked into their house at night...and yes, we are still friendly...

Ok, I'll think about ducks....

Thats the problem I'm having with mine. I wish they would just go into their coop like the chickens but they don't yet. I'm hoping one day they'll get it. But for now I have to extend the pen and steer them into it.

 

[Lynzi777]

Ok last pics and then I'll take a break from it I promise! Lol

Here are our four newest silkies!