Wintering Ducks and their needs

[Going Quackers]

Thanks for making this post. I got some helpful information. I noticed someone wrote about the male/female ratio. My friend and I got 6 ducklings about 15 or so weeks ago. Problem is they were straight run. I ended up with 2 drakes and 1 hen. She ended up with 2 hens 1 drake. So far mine are fine as they are young ~ the hen leads the pack. (they also live comfortable with 20 hens and 2 pullets.) My friend offered her 2nd hen to even my ratio out. Is this still asking for trouble? Should I try and find a home for one of the drakes, or take on the 2nd hen? I cant see that either one has paired up yet with the hen.
My biggest concern for the winter is not keeping them warm, its the awful mess they make with the waterers. I have even tried differant types that the chickens and ducks can share. Im having to change the bedding way to much. Come winter this isnt going to be an easy thing. I have looked and asked about what I should do. I need the water heated in the winter (im in western mass). I wish I could created a bowl that is set down and allows the water overflow drain down. Be fair warned they are very sloppy with water, even my small tubs of water they try and sit in, even though they have to kiddie pools to sit in. Anyone have ideas on what worked for them for the cold months. Not so worried now as they spend most of their time outside. Maybe I might have to get yet another pen for just them??

Good luck with your project getting ready for ducks. I have enjoyed mine. They do provide entertainment!

The more ducks you have the better... ideally it's 2 to 1.. 3 to 1.. min etc... as for buckets, i use a small heated variety the larger sized ones 5gal are to enticing for birds to sit in lol

 

[HauiBali]

Here is how I do it, and because they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I made a segment picture of it:



Summer version: only the red plastic washbasin filled with water and the pot - I can put it inside the coop for them to have water for drinking and nose-cleaning at night, and they dont make a huge mess, as the pot prevents their swim.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is how I do it, and because they say a picture is worth a thousand words, I made a segment picture of it:



Summer version: only the red plastic washbasin filled with water and the pot - I can put it inside the coop for them to have water for drinking and nose-cleaning at night, and they dont make a huge mess, as the pot prevents their swim.

great diagram

 

[HauiBali]

Thank you Miss Lydia

I hope it is useful for some.