Preparing ducks for winter

[Soon2BChixMom]

I only posted what my intentions are this winter. If it doesn't work, I can report back next year when the same topic pops up.
As far as ice - not debating just stating facts - it takes more energy to thaw ice than it would if it were just water. It would make the electric components stay on longer to reach the optimal temperature which might cause a failure if it had to do this repeatedly. Normally you wouldn't start out with ice and wait for it to thaw. You would start with water from the tap. Does that make sense?
And, yes it makes sense to empty the water every night if it works to do so.

 

[chickens really]

That I don't know. I only used one with my chickens last year and it was more than enough water for them and they were unable to flip the bowl and spill it. My ducks are bigger and naturally go through more water than my chickens and the dog bowl isn't really a viable option for them so I stick to big buckets. I find the ducks dunk so often in the water it rarely freezes all the way through (despite the weather), and that's usually once they've mostly emptied the bucket and there's very little water left in the bottom.

I bought a heated bucket too although my Husband told me not to use it. Not meant for outside use which actually makes no sense..?

 

[chickens really]

I only posted what my intentions are this winter. If it doesn't work, I can report back next year when the same topic pops up.
As far as ice - not debating just stating facts - it takes more energy to thaw ice than it would if it were just water. It would make the electric components stay on longer to reach the optimal temperature which might cause a failure if it had to do this repeatedly. Normally you wouldn't start out with ice and wait for it to thaw. You would start with water from the tap. Does that make sense?
And, yes it makes sense to empty the water every night if it works to do so.

This is your first winter coming up so definitely you will come up with something that works for you and your set up. I change things up as I go..

 

[bluemerle]

Oh, I have a question!

So, the plan to build a fancy duck house got put off until next year. This year my two have been sleeping in a plastic Vari Kennel - the kind you get for dogs. It's worked great for them all summer - plenty of ventilation, they're tiny Mallards so plenty of space for them to move around. One usually sleeps in the very back, and one usually "guards" the door.

The question is - should I cover the bottom half of the door to keep out drafts? I know airflow is important, but all of the coop information I've read emphasizes that drafts should not be allowed to blow directly on the birds. They have a windbreak on both sides of their run (tin) and on the back, but no windbreak on the front where the door is. And we get terrible winds.

 

[chickens really]

Oh, I have a question!

So, the plan to build a fancy duck house got put off until next year. This year my two have been sleeping in a plastic Vari Kennel - the kind you get for dogs. It's worked great for them all summer - plenty of ventilation, they're tiny Mallards so plenty of space for them to move around. One usually sleeps in the very back, and one usually "guards" the door.

The question is - should I cover the bottom half of the door to keep out drafts? I know airflow is important, but all of the coop information I've read emphasizes that drafts should not be allowed to blow directly on the birds. They have a windbreak on both sides of their run (tin) and on the back, but no windbreak on the front where the door is. And we get terrible winds.

How cold do you get? Not a very good house.

 

[bluemerle]

How cold do you get? Not a very good house.

Not terribly cold compared to other places - but we do get below zero at night. This will be our first winter with them, so it's hard to know what to expect. If all else fails & they do poorly, I'm prepared to just pick up their kennel & bring them in at night.

 

[chickens really]

Not terribly cold compared to other places - but we do get below zero at night. This will be our first winter with them, so it's hard to know what to expect. If all else fails & they do poorly, I'm prepared to just pick up their kennel & bring them in at night.

Can't do that because they need to acclimate to the cold

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh, I have a question!

So, the plan to build a fancy duck house got put off until next year. This year my two have been sleeping in a plastic Vari Kennel - the kind you get for dogs. It's worked great for them all summer - plenty of ventilation, they're tiny Mallards so plenty of space for them to move around. One usually sleeps in the very back, and one usually "guards" the door.

The question is - should I cover the bottom half of the door to keep out drafts? I know airflow is important, but all of the coop information I've read emphasizes that drafts should not be allowed to blow directly on the birds. They have a windbreak on both sides of their run (tin) and on the back, but no windbreak on the front where the door is. And we get terrible winds.

I would make a solid door for it. Even with a solid door it has nice ventilation up high that they can sleep below. Also pay attention to your prevailing wind direction and position it so the wind is blowing against the most solid side and not right in the door during the day when the door is open for them.

I have had a kennel like this. At some point past our puppy stage of making mischief in the house the kennel got moved outdoors as a shelter/dog house for the pups. I just caution you to be gentile with it in freezing conditions, between the cold and the UV the plastic on mine got brittle and I accidentally cracked it when I was cleaning snow/ice off the top.

 

[PirateGirl]

Can't do that because they need to acclimate to the cold

Agreed, going in and out (whether in summer moving them into AC or in winter moving into a heated area) from one temp extreme to another causes stress on them. They can handle 0* F without a problem. Don't worry too much. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Generally speaking the days gradually get shorter and colder and the ducks grow nice thick down and acclimate to the weather. I have seen mine sleeping and buried in snow in a blizzard before. They could have gone in their house, but didn't. After that I stopped worrying

 

[Miss Lydia]

with vents on the side of the vari kennel both sides that would be plenty of ventilation you could add a solid door. Just keep them out of the wind. lots of bedding.