Taking care of my ducks in the winter months

[16happyhens]

I am new to keeping ducks and they are so fun to watch. My question is, do I need to keep open water for them to "swim" in during the winter? Do I need to heat my coop? It gets to 0 degrees at night during the dead of winter here so I just don't want them to get too cold. The coop is currently not insulated but I could easily fix that. Thanks for any help and advice

 

[katharinad]

They do not need swimming water in winter, nor do they need a heated house. All they need is water for drinking that stays clear of ice, and a wind protected shelter. Ducks can handle up to -20 degrees with wind protection. I've heard of some even handling more. Make sure they get a surface off the the ground to protect their feet from the cold so they don't get frost bite. A good layer of hay will do that.

You will need a heated and lighted coop, if you count on egg production. I have an insulated duck house and plan on using an oil filled heater to keep it just above freezing and to keep the water defrosted in it. My duck house has large windows letting tons of light in. I may need to add a light for 2-3 hours each morning, but that is it.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Here we can get winter temps of -45 degrees C and they arent uncommon. My ducks had a heatlamp and that was it all winter, they were fine. All they need is a shelter to get out of the wind and snow.

 

[BirdBrain]

My coop is insulated but unheated. They have a roosting shelf up high which they seem to like. While they like open water to play in, they are not going to have it during the winter. You can probably get a heated 1.5 gallon bucket at the feedstore. That is all they really should need.

 

[okie74447]

my muscovy and ancona ducks (also the confused guinea that thinks shes a duck) did fine here last winter (it got bad for ok.last winter) i made sure they had plenty of drinking water and feed and i bought straw & hay for there houses and put a light in there for them every one did fine and i didn't lose anyone even the confused guinea made it.

 

[1hotmoma]

I am glad someone asked the same question. I have 4 ducks and I was wondering how I can take care of them this winter. I know it's early but I like to be prepared.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am glad someone asked the same question. I have 4 ducks and I was wondering how I can take care of them this winter. I know it's early but I like to be prepared.

well now it will depend on where you are located. Ducks wear down so they don't need much except for protection from predators and extreme windy conditions. Fresh water is a must so if you live were it gets below freezing you may want to invest a heated dog bowls or buckets so they will have fresh water. Inside my duck house I have a thick layer of pine shaving about 10-12" more by end of winter, they snuggle down into that to sleep but most of the windows stay open all winter long bottoms closed tops open so they have good ventilation which is very important.

 

[pcappy2]

I have been wondering about this myself. I live in minnesota and the winters can get pretty cold. If I keep them out of the wind and make sure they have water that isn't frozen,,,We should be okay? Can I have then in with the chickens? I hatched 3 chicks and 3 ducks and always want to be together.....I would like to know anyones opinion if I can keep them together?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have been wondering about this myself. I live in minnesota and the winters can get pretty cold. If I keep them out of the wind and make sure they have water that isn't frozen,,,We should be okay? Can I have then in with the chickens? I hatched 3 chicks and 3 ducks and always want to be together.....I would like to know anyones opinion if I can keep them together?

Of course you can keep them together as long as you don't leave food and water inside the coop and the only reason being the ducks will make a mess water will be all over the bedding and they will keep the feed messy too. As long as you realize when these chickens and ducks mature into adults if you have a drake among the ducks he will most likely try to mate with your hens which will be a death sentence for them. But if they are young you won't have to worry about that till next spring and devise a plan to separate them . But give them adequate shelter, protection from preds and fresh unfrozen water and they will be a happy bunch. Ducks have a wonderful way of keeping warm with their down under their feathers so even in Minn. they should be fine.