Water For Snow?

[Duckbreeder2020]

I have a weird question, we had a 2 foot snowstorm today and the water freezes so fast even tho the coop is heated. I just can’t even walk through the snow. It piles yo every time we plow it. I gave the ducks water, but not enough, could they eat snow for a little bit of water? If not I have to go out at 12 at night lol to get them more water in the middle of a storm.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If ducks are like chickens they don't eat or drink at night, so they should be okay till morning. I don't believe you should expect them to quench their thirst with snow, though. It does not have enough moisture to do the job for one thing, and it will lower their body temp dangerously for another. In other words, it will chill them while their body is trying to warm it enough to extract moisture. If you pack a bunch of snow in a pan and heat it, you will see how little water there actually is in it. Can you get a heated bowl for them?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh. Also snow won't clear their nares (nostrils) like water does. I'm sorry you're having these challenges and hope everyyhing works out for you.

 

[Duckbreeder2020]

If ducks are like chickens they don't eat or drink at night, so they should be okay till morning. I don't believe you should expect them to quench their thirst with snow, though. It does not have enough moisture to do the job for one thing, and it will lower their body temp dangerously for another. In other words, it will chill them while their body is trying to warm it enough to extract moisture. If you pack a bunch of snow in a pan and heat it, you will see how little water there actually is in it. Can you get a heated bowl for them?

We can’t drive anywhere rn. 2 feet of snow. If we get rid of it it likes back up to a couple inches. Snow started yesterday at 5 PM and hasn’t stopped for a second yet.

 

[Duckbreeder2020]

Oh. Also snow won't clear their nares (nostrils) like water does. I'm sorry you're having these challenges and hope everyyhing works out for you.

Thank you.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, we are watching this monster storm on the news. Just wishing you all the best. Maybe someone with ducks has something more to add, I think I am right about them not drinking at night anyway.. let's see if @Isaac 0 has any advice.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I have a weird question, we had a 2 foot snowstorm today and the water freezes so fast even tho the coop is heated. I just can’t even walk through the snow. It piles yo every time we plow it. I gave the ducks water, but not enough, could they eat snow for a little bit of water? If not I have to go out at 12 at night lol to get them more water in the middle of a storm.

Unfortunatly you're just going to have to take some water out there as often as you can during the day.
As long as you do not leave food out for them at night they do not need water through the night. I lock my ducks up at night they have no access to food or water until morning.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

If ducks are like chickens they don't eat or drink at night, so they should be okay till morning. I don't believe you should expect them to quench their thirst with snow, though. It does not have enough moisture to do the job for one thing, and it will lower their body temp dangerously for another. In other words, it will chill them while their body is trying to warm it enough to extract moisture. If you pack a bunch of snow in a pan and heat it, you will see how little water there actually is in it. Can you get a heated bowl for them?

Ducks will stay up and party all night long as long as there's food and water.

 

[Duckbreeder2020]

So there is a problem. I CANT get inside my coop! There is a small door I can fit a bowl of water for 4 chickens and 7 ducks. How long can ducks go withought water exactly?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

So there is a problem. I CANT get inside my coop! There is a small door I can fit a bowl of water for 4 chickens and 7 ducks. How long can ducks go withought water exactly?

Well..
They really need to have access to water anytime they have food. It's hard for them to swallow without water.
Can the chickens and ducks come out of the coop? I don't ever feed in water inside. But I don't have that kind of extreme weather here.