winter duck care

[Lupa Duende]

We need to sort out the humidity and ventilation issues.
I think a lot of it has to do with needing so many water buckets for the ducks.
I realized that as I was being lazy and leaving water buckets in the barn (even though they were out and wandering about) that this was adding to it.
the barn is a rectangle with an L for my access to bring in feed and water. the goats, ducks, and pony all share one big area while most of the chickens only have access to a coop with feed and nesting boxes. meaning that the chickens have a separate 'out door' to leave the barn than the other critters.

we covered the chicken out door with a piece of plywood, which is slighty elevated to keep the bonless goats and dogs from eating their feed. this allows the girls access to feed and nesting boxes when they are tired of scratching ice outside.

my bedding started as sawdust and pine shavings but after I scoop out the pony's poop I scatter yesterday's hay on the ground.

isn't there something ReallyInexpensive or Found in my Woods that people suggesti use to absorb more of the moisture from frolicking ducks?

 

[countrygirl74]

Just thought I'd post my experience of my first night of the ducks being out in the winter... They are 8 weeks old, two Pekins, 2 Rouens. I had them outside all day for several weeks but was bringing them in at night to stay in the house at temps of about 50-55. Sometimes they would pant in the house! So, finally put them out. We built a little shelter for them and they are in a predator-proof run that shares a wall with the chickens. I filled it with straw, made sure they had food and water and left them out! Silly ducks didn't even sleep in the straw, they slept by their water bowl out in the open. They were happily awaiting me at 7a.m. this morning to get the ice out of their water. As soon as I poured in fresh water, they were in it, splashing all around in 20 degree morning temps. Their feathers were even frosted from sleeping out in the open and they didn't seem to care at all. Of course, I'm still glad we built the little shelter as they may want it at some point, but I guess my ducks are like many others who have posted on here in that they actually prefer to be out, no matter how cold it is and I don't think any temps will keep them from playing in the water. LOL.

 

[Lupa Duende]

Today is the first day that I am keeping everyone in the barn and ythis is only because we are expecting over forty centimetres of snow and I need to shovel out the pop door.

Perhaps I should add that I live in southern Quebec.

So far, my ducks are delighted to be out and about no matter what the weather. Moreover, it certainly reduces my chores as the ducks are nearly as conscientious as the chickens and goats in keeping the barn tidy.

 

[donnajeanne]

I have two Peking ducks that live in a coop with about ten chickens. They all get along. When cold, the chickens go in but the ducks don't...I get worried and catch them and put them in. There's a hut out for them but tho covered, it is not air tight by any means. Are they ok out in that (minus unusually frigid nights/days? And if they are walking in the snow that has blown in, is that ok for their feet? Water keeps freezing so not much pool time for them and they are dirty. Is that going to hurt them. I am thinking of trying to find someone who would love them like I do but could give them better living arrangements. I worry all the time about them. What should I do with limited ways to change what I have?

 

[Amiga]

I would consider getting a tarp to go over the hut, and keep the snow out. How tall is the hut? Deep dry bedding helps quite a bit. With only two ducks, that is a concern, but they are Pekins, a somewhat larger breed and if fed well have some body fat to help stay warm.

By the way, If I were to go the tarp route, I would use a wood frame of two by fours over the hut so there will be sufficient ventilation, leaving a triangular "door" in the tarp that is not on the same side of the hut as the hut's opening. Straw scattered under the tarp on the outside of the hut, and lots of dry bedding in the hut.

A bucket that you can fill with warm water twice a day may give them enough water to wash in. My runners wash in their drinking water pot when we cannot provide swim pans, in subfreezing weather.

 

[Lupa Duende]

I use heavy rubber buckets. I fill at least twice a day for my ducks with tepid water. If they freeze during the night, which is every night from december to march, i can bash them on a rock and refill them without my buckets cracking.
Dry bedding for their feet is excellent advice too. I scatter yesterday's hay in the bird area before they are sent to bed.

 

[donnajeanne]

Thank you. Yes they have a little hut w a door that is inside a fenced in area covered w tarp so basically it's with a windy storm that blows the snow in. They also can and do go underneath the chicken coop to get out of the wind. I think I worry too much about them being cold. I just am unsure how cold is TOO cold. And if I'm not home to close their door, they are only sheltered on 3 sides. And are their feet ok walking on the snow that has blown in. I clear as much as I can. Should I put hay down for them to walk on? Thanks for your help.

 

[Purra]

Wow, now I feel incredibly silly. I've been paranoid about my ducks all winter, and they've been spending most of the cold days in a heated shed with straw bedding. Their water got a little slushy a few times when it got seriously cold out, and I flipped out and fiddled with the setup until that stopped.

But then when I let them out in the snow they all sit down and pull their feet up into their feathers so I feel sorry for them.

 

[Amiga]

Please don't feel silly. It's better to be a little overprotective (in my humble opinion) than lose ducks because you convince yourself they will always be just fine.