What are the do's and dont's for ducks in the winter?

[Rtodorov]

This will be my first winter with the gals and I'm looking for the do's and dont's for the season to come. As of now, I have straw down to make sure they stay dry! Any suggestions would be amazing as far as trick for their water goes as well! Thanks in advance! On south east WISCONSIN!

 

[416bigbore]

Where are you located? That will help greatly for other members to chime in with winter time care tips.

 

[Rtodorov]

Wisconsin! North of Milwaukee

 

[416bigbore]

O -wow, you know all about cold weather. LOL At the top of the page you can also click on the search Forums and type in winter time care for ducks and that will bring up lots of older thread post with great information.

 

[DucksOhio]

I’m in NE Ohio, and it gets pretty cold here, maybe not as cold as Wisconsin though. Ducks are incredibly hardy in the winter. I think the most important thing is making sure they have a secure shelter without drafts, but also well ventilated. Lots of deep, clean straw will also keep them comfortable. I use a good quality birdbath heater to keep their water from freezing.

 

[Rtodorov]

I do currently have the set up for their duck house set. Pine shavings and the deep dry straw. Im trying to figure out the best set up for their water. I will have to get heated buckets because they for sure go through lots of water and get the nasty sediment at the bottom that i have to clean out so im trying to figure out how I will have that set up. Between the wind, snow and cold, its going to suck going back and forth managing that.

 

[Rtodorov]

Also, their duck pool....I can put it away, correct? I dont want an ice mess for them and risk another getting hurt if the ramp is ice and they lide down it....correct?

 

[416bigbore]

They do make different stock tank heater to help with keeping your pool water from freezing solid. Ducks love their pool time and it helps keep them healthy.

You could always sprinkle some salt free sand on your ramp to help with traction if it gets icy.


https://www.amazon.com/s?k=stock+ta...10190308&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_5prm3426_e

 

[Rtodorov]

Indo have one of the heaters, but i won't be able to fill it with a hose because we have to shut our water off to the outside of the house this time of year because pipes burst with the freezing Temps. And when the water gets dirty after a week and then having to drain it....I dont think its a possibility:/ i can bring them in the house to play in the bath a few times a week which I'm fine with .

 

[416bigbore]

You could also use large rubber tubs like this one and haul two 5 gal. bucket of water every other day for them if keeping your pool operational will be to much work.

These type of rubber feed tubs are super tough in cold weather and the ice is easy to knock out of them.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...lR6ZoAlXRSq5op3o54gaLkn2YhKYtcG0aAn-TEALw_wcB