Wintering Ducks

[Jacob Duckman]

This will be my Ducks' first winter spent outdoors. I live in eastern PA area with lows that can sometimes reach down to the teens and single digits in the winter.

They have a 6x10ft wire run connected to a 2x4ft doghouse I converted into a duck-coop with straw and a "small critter" heating pad that heats up to 100F max (and probably a lot lower in freezing weather) connected to a 35F thermostat. It also has a small (not super bright) solar LED light in the ceiling. The coop is sitting about 5" off the ground with a solid wide ramp leading to the door.

It has dipped into the 20's and so far the ducks have not used the coop at all that I can tell.

Will they make it through the winter okay? Is there a reason they won't use it?




*Edit the heating pad is actually 25 watts

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Deleted by accident
Dumb kindle said I double posted so I edited one out...turns out there was only one. I can't remember what I said. Stupid thing
Sorry

 

[Jacob Duckman]

They usually sit on the opposite end of the run that I lock up at night. the coop is connected to it.

I'll try some food. I wonder if I should remove that windbreak plywood piece in there? maybe they need more room?

 

[chickens really]

How many Ducks? Mine also live in an extra large dog house....I do not provide heat....Just pine shavings in the dog house and straw down in a corner of the run.....I herd mine into the Dog house at night by saying bedtime....They all wattle in.....I lock them in at night.....I put plastic on the run to provide a wind block.....Ducks do well in cold temps...



Cheers!

 

[Jacob Duckman]

two ducks. A larger Rouen and a Crested. How cold does it get by you? The more I read the more it seems I'm overdoing it with the heat... and at 25 continuous watts, it does add up

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Yeah maybe its too hot in there. Remember that ducks have the original down coat

 

[chickens really]

In Central Alberta it gets Cold....we can get down to -28 Celsius with a windchill of -35 or more....I have construction grade, clear plastic round my Run and straw bales piled around the Dog house for added insulation.
I have 5 ducks, three standard sized and two Call ducks...as long as they can get out of wind and wetness, plus keep their feet warm they do fine.....we have a bit of snow here again and they love the snow.....Just a tip, Ducks do better with steps than they do with ramps....I built mine out of paving stones....Not sure how yours do with the ramp?

Cheers!

 

[Bills vs Beaks]

Ya think? Mine do good with a ramp, I never tried stairs. To much of a bother with my set up.

 

[chickens really]

Ya think? Mine do good with a ramp, I never tried stairs. To much of a bother with my set up.

Thats good.....My Ducks would walk halfway up and fall off the ramp....lol......Mine look so cute hoping up steps...I have a small step into the Dog house and one for the pool....Silly Ducks!!!


Cheers!

 

[RookieFlock]

Just saw this thread, and I'm in a similar situation. Two ducks, pekins, and it's their first winter.I'm not so much worried about the cold for them. We have an elevated chicken coop and they go up there on their own every night and sleep, so I think they have adequate protection from the wind and cold. What I'm concerned about is water. We've been just filling a daily kiddie pool for them. I don't mind hauling water from the house since the hose will freeze up...however, how do you keep it from icing over efficiently? I do have a power source, so I'm thinking maybe a bird bath heater? How much water do they need to be able to keep themselves clean?