Safe heat source for duck pen????

[BantyChooks]

Yes, built in down-jackets and snow-shoes!

They still sink in when the snow is deep. I'm telling ya, if you haven't seen ducks bouncing through 3' deep snow with only their heads sticking out, you haven't lived yet.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

They still sink in when the snow is deep. I'm telling ya, if you haven't seen ducks bouncing through 3' deep snow with only their heads sticking out, you haven't lived yet.

I'll bet that is the cutest! I'd like to see them toboggan slide down a hill

 

[BantyChooks]

I'll bet that is the cutest! I'd like to see them toboggan slide down a hill

Aww, they'd hate me so much, but it would be adorable.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They still sink in when the snow is deep. I'm telling ya, if you haven't seen ducks bouncing through 3' deep snow with only their heads sticking out, you haven't lived yet.

I haven't! - That picture makes me hope for 3ft of snow here in WV! I imagine five running snow plows, loudly quacking…

 

[BantyChooks]

I haven't! - That picture makes me hope for 3ft of snow here in WV! I imagine five running snow plows, loudly quacking…

Sometimes the Call drake gets stuck in my footprints and he yells until I come rescue him. That's always hilarious.
The big ducks aren't much help. I think they laugh at him!

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runners start out in deep snow but eventually their legs disappear into the snow and they sit there for a while before they finally get themselves out and head inside it’s hilarious though first time I thought they were laying down when actually they had sunk down into the snow.

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree with what others have said. Generally speaking they can tolerate cold temps for extended periods of time quite well. Make sure they have a house that blocks the wind with some straw to snuggle in and they will be just fine. When the weather is especially bad I do like to herd mine into their house and lock them in overnight. I sleep better knowing they are snuggled together for warmth and not just sleeping in the snow. Last night we had a wind warning for sustained winds of about 35-40mph and gusts to 90mph, with temps in the teens that puts the wind chill well below zero F so they all got locked in the duck house for the night and were not allowed to sleep outdoors. Generally I give them them the choice during the day, in or out, and they can run in and out as much as they please. When I'm really worried due to a storm I do choose to lock them in their house during the worst of it over night. If I know a cold snap/winter storm is coming I will try to change out bedding the day before so it is as fresh and dry as possible for them so it will provide the best insulation.

 

[thumper650]

You don't need heat with a good house. If you're a nutcase like me get a Cozycoop panel heater or something similar. Make sure they can get away from it, and don't use a space heater or lamp, it's too dangerous. I lock mine in at night too because they rarely go in voluntarily.

 

[PirateGirl]

I agree that a panel heater may be better than a heat light bulb for ducks. If a light bulb is hot and water hits it, it will shatter. I learned this the hard way when I was cleaning my bathroom and when cleaning the mirror I shattered the bulb in the vanity light! I have looked at this before for chickens... I'd do more research about moisture (everything is wet with ducks) before installing it in a duck house.

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...ucts-cozy-coop-safe-chicken-coop-heater-200w/

 

[thumper650]

I agree that a panel heater may be better than a heat light bulb for ducks. If a light bulb is hot and water hits it, it will shatter. I learned this the hard way when I was cleaning my bathroom and when cleaning the mirror I shatterethe bulb in the vanity light! I have looked at this before for chickens... I'd do more research about moisture (everything is wet with ducks) before installing it in a duck house.

https://www.murdochs.com/products/l...ucts-cozy-coop-safe-chicken-coop-heater-200w/

That's exactly what I use, I screw it to me he wall because my ducks party like rock stars some nights!

I keep their waterer near it to keep it liquid in this, just enough to wet their whistles.