Seriously, how cold is too cold?

[kesrchicky16]

Wow so much discussion about heat and water. It took me way longer then it should to figure out what the debate about rubber bowls was. I have a "3.5" duck horse trough with identical steps inside and out with a heater. My ducks look like crap but I figure they have bath water if they don't want to use it there must be a reason. I supplement lights for my chickens to lay and I use water de-icer heaters but other then that my birds have to fend for themselves. I always have nighttime lock down in coops for preditor reasons.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You do feed them right?

 

[kesrchicky16]

You do feed them right?

Yes. I do see how I should have added that detail. I feed 2x daily, add water to everyone's heated bowls as needed, and manually lock coops at bedtime. Open coops at day brake and let the chickens out to free range a couple hours later. The ducks don't free range because my former roo didn't get along with my drake and the ducks wouldn't leave the open pen anyway once fall forage got too sparce.

I figure as long as I'm providing proper food and draft free housing they are in better shape then then wild birds.

 

[onaharley]

Sorry guys I know that I have been absent on this thread but 'tis the season....and girlfriend have a ton to do before Christmas gets here. I have been trying to keep up with the posts when I can and there are a lot of great ideas here! Both ducks are doing great and once I get to relax and read everything, the comments will be coming! Wishing you all best during your holiday fun!

 

[pamelajean]

I also noticed food consumption dropped when we got our first cold snap/snowfall. I too, was surprised, thinking they would need more energy for heat and need to eat more. Interesting things these duckies. I have been worried about the whole feet sticking to the ground thing - that would be horrific - but we haven't been below -10C yet. Its supposed to be coming next week though! I may have to rethink my watering habits if that changes because as soon as I fill the rubber bowls up in the morning, they take turns jumping in, one by one. On another side note - we got a first egg this morning! Who would've thought, -5C and pretty much the darkest day of the year and we get a first egg! (Sorry OP I know, off topic, but I have to share ).

 

[kesrchicky16]

Today was almost shirt sleeve weather my ducks decided today was bath day. I haven't seen them swimming the last few days while it was colder.

 

[3bird]

Yesterday we almost hit 40 and it rained--first time above freezing in a while, and the ducks were jazzed. Sure enough, their food consumption also went way up. Here's how happy they were:

Now we're back in the 20s with snow on the way and then bitter cold (below zero F for a couple nights in a row).

 

[chickens really]

So awesome....Merry Christmas if you celebrate ?

 

[3bird]

So awesome....Merry Christmas if you celebrate ?

We do...and same to you! Not sure how much of a celebratory mood the ducks will be in with an incoming solid snowstorm with winds to 40 mph here on the coast. Should we invite them in to hang out in front of the fire?

 

[onaharley]

I also noticed food consumption dropped when we got our first cold snap/snowfall. I too, was surprised, thinking they would need more energy for heat and need to eat more. Interesting things these duckies. I have been worried about the whole feet sticking to the ground thing - that would be horrific - but we haven't been below -10C yet. Its supposed to be coming next week though! I may have to rethink my watering habits if that changes because as soon as I fill the rubber bowls up in the morning, they take turns jumping in, one by one. On another side note - we got a first egg this morning! Who would've thought, -5C and pretty much the darkest day of the year and we get a first egg! (Sorry OP I know, off topic, but I have to share ).

No worries, 1st eggs are so exciting!!!