Putting Ducks Away at night in the Winter

[Callduckies]

When should I put my ducks in their coop at night in the fall and winter? I've been putting them in around 9pm and letting them out around 6am this summer. But once the fall and winter months start the sun starts setting earlier and I'm not comfortable having them out when it's dark. They don't have food/water in their coop at night and I don't want them too going too long without it.

 

[cavemanrich]

Ducks and chickens do not need food, or water at night, when it is dark.
Lock them up at dusk, and release them out in the daybreak.
You may notice, they do like to eat and have a full crop before settling in for the night.
The setting of the sun,,, Diminishing light is what drives their actions.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Jenbirdee]

to me, it’s sad when it gets dark so early, but my ducks have always done fine without water /food at night, even in the shortest days of winter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like to have mine all in before dark usually 30 mins before at least and usually by then just about all are already inside especially on super cold nights all snuggled in their shavings. Chickens usually and hour before on their own. At daylight I release them we have great horned owls and I don’t want to feed them breakfast

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

I was wondering this also. I am in WI and in due time it be DARK at 4pm, and not light again until 7am. Seems like a long time to be locked up with no food or water.

Seems cruel.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I was wondering this also. I am in WI and in due time it be DARK at 4pm, and not light again until 7am. Seems like a long time to be locked up with no food or water.

Seems cruel.

water overnight in winter is problematic - either it freezes - or if you have it heated it produces moisture which causes frostbite- if you heat the whole coop to prevent that - then they can go into shock when you let them out into the cold again - unless you’re going to build a very large heated shelter to keep them inside of it all winter -

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

water overnight in winter is problematic - either it freezes - or if you have it heated it produces moisture which causes frostbite- if you heat the whole coop to prevent that - then they can go into shock when you let them out into the cold again - unless you’re going to build a very large heated shelter to keep them inside of it all winter -

I understand. I don't plan to have water/food in there. Just seems like a long stretch to have them locked up in my area/climate. BUT with temps getting to -30 deg. F in January I would imagine they aren't very active anyway.

I have to remember they are built for this and will be ok as long as they are out of the wind and have protection.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I understand. I don't plan to have water/food in there. Just seems like a long stretch to have them locked up in my area/climate. BUT with temps getting to -30 deg. F in January I would imagine they aren't very active anyway.

I have to remember they are built for this and will be ok as long as they are out of the wind and have protection.

yes they are. just give them deep bedding. and i toss straw out on the ground around for them too.

 

[Greeneggs15]

Ducks and chickens do not need food, or water at night, when it is dark.
Lock them up at dusk, and release them out in the daybreak.
You may notice, they do like to eat and have a full crop before settling in for the night.
The setting of the sun,,, Diminishing light is what drives their actions.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Currently my ducks live with chickens in a completely enclosed run. Do I need to be putting them into a shelter/coop at night once winter comes or will they shelter themselves? In idaho, so it gets cold and lots of snow.

Help! First winter with ducks + chickena

 

[cavemanrich]

Currently my ducks live with chickens in a completely enclosed run. Do I need to be putting them into a shelter/coop at night once winter comes or will they shelter themselves? In idaho, so it gets cold and lots of snow.

Help! First winter with ducks + chickena

Provide shelter if you can. We are talking cold weather in your area.
Otherwise, survival will be scarce, to none in open space.
Summertime, and zones like Sothern California, and Florida, you can get away with just a wind break for overnight shelters.

Wishing you best with your flock,,,,,,,,,,and