winter duck care

[LilDucky85]

The past winter was my first owning poultry. I was really scared about it but they all survived...and so did I lol. Our winters in Illinois get very cold and I was worried about them getting frostbite so I added a heat lamp so that I could sleep at night. It didnt give off too much heat but it gave off enough so that they could get out of the cold. I bought a heated waterbucket but it didnt work!

 

[IllinoisDeb]

Quote:
We are in central Illinois and have the ducks housed in the shed (in their own little private shed) - and are wondering about the watering situation. What are your plans? We thought about getting a heated poultry waterer.

Do most of you just keep their water outside? That would be easiest - we do have heated dog water bowls - would that work?

 

[katharinad]

We live in high elevation with very cold snowy winters. We plan on moving the snow out of the pen they will be in, but wonder if I should cover the ground with hay for insulation. I worry about frost bite on their feet. The duck house will be warm, so no issue there. What are you guys in the snow doing for their outdoor area?

 

[chikky]

Last winter I put straw down for them & shoveled. This winter, I'm going to cover the entire top with tarps (easier to get snow off with my scraper than the chicken wire, and more secure too) to help keep snow out of the pen. Will straw this year too.

What I'm not sure about is if I want to keep a pool going with a heater....concerned that they'll "stick" fast to the rocks in the pool or to the ground.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I don't ever shovel their enclosure, they manage to splash and poop away most of the snow anyway (gross!). I DO, however, shovel paths from enclosure to enclosure, to feeding area, to shed, so they can traverse the trails I choose, instead of just pooping all over everything and everywhere.

 

[Scott]

Quote:
Your duck house and pen are awesome, Hattie! I want one like that!

 

[Hattiegun]

;

 

[Hattiegun]

Hey Scott.. Thanks and I REALLY like your pens toooo... I have pics of yours ,as I was going to build one like it to have @ home (my pen is at our shop) and thought I was going to haul my ducks back and forth.. WELL... found out that they were not to Keen on the back / forth thing...LOL but if and when i have more ducks and if I ever Haul them around i am having a pen like yours @ home......

 

[Scott]

Quote:
Thanks! Tell you what... if you make me one of those shed/pen combos of yours, I'll make you one of my raised duck pens. ;-)

 

[indigoacres]

Hattigun....love your pond, do you have plans for the design? How does it drain to clean it out? Great Job I will invest in building one as long as I have an idea how to set it up.
Thanks for Sharing!

As for winter I live in Northern Ontario, our birds have their own coop with heated water (Mcmurray's Hatchery sells a 3 gal plastics waterer $40.00)and roosting areas. Our duck swim in a stock tank 3x a week that I keep in our gargage that has a drain in th floor. I use that tank as a pond in the summer out side and also take them swimming with us in the river...they follow us and know the way!



I am new to the forum, I have 2 Runner ducks Ernie and Bertie, 6 Deleware laying hens, 1 Buckeye, 1 Welsummer, 1 Whyndotte, and 2 black Jersey Giants....with plans on adding a few more heritage breeds this year.