wintering ducks

[Azd1292]

I did see some of the gallon bowls on eBay as well. There are a lot of different sized bowls on there . They are also a few dollars cheaper. They really are a good idea! Thanks for posting them!

Miss Lydia that cover sounds neat I would also love to see a pic. I like to use the buckets because no one tries to get in them so it stays slightly cleaner for drinking. Not that they care as they drink up kiddie pool water just the same

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I could b Wrong but I use the large black watering tubs from the feed store and when they freeze I would pour hot water in them in the a.m it cools quick so they have no way of burning themselves. I do need to know about housing. U see mine free range on the pond and this is my first year having ducks.

 

[veronicasmom]

I am in ME and use the heated dog water bowl set in a larger rubber pan to catch some of the spillage. I also put a board across the middle so they cannot bathe in it, but can get their heads in it. I use their regular pool with a birdbath heater in it so they can still bathe daily.
Been doing this for about 10 years now and it works great for us. I was thinking a heated bucket instead of the bowl, but I decided if it ain't broke, I ain't fixing it!!

 

[UrbanFarmerGreg]

All the heated buckets and dishes seem pretty neat, I might invest in one... last year I just used a baby bath tub and made sure i dumped it out at night, warm water when I opened their door in the morning and depending how cold it gets, either break up the ice or pour hot water ontop of the ice... I only have 2 indian runner ducks. I am wondering about their house though... last year I had 2 which were killed by raccoons and I replaced them this summer, so should I use pine shavings like last year (same house) or would straw be better?

 

[Evelle]

im getting a heated dog dish and a larger rubber bucket this winter
then i can build an igloo for them with the ice blocks i kick out

 

[Aria]

We raised Call Ducks for many years. Having a POND was the answer. In winter we purchased an electirc unit that kept a small portion of the Pond opened. We also had Gold Fish and Coye fish in the pond.

We let the Ducks out every morning and they swam in the small portion of the Pond that was always open. And the opening got larger as they swam.

In the evening we drove the ducks in the Barn. This is why we NOW have Silkie Chickens.
MUCH easier. Regard, Aria

 

[coonhoundmama87]

I have a shallow metal pan that I put a small tank heater/deicer in for the ducks and geese and it works just fine. On really cold days if the water gets low it might freeze some of it up but there's always open water. I don't let them bathe because I've had bad luck with that. For my muscovies I have a shallow rubber dish that I bust the ice out of daily for them to have water. If they would just live with everyone else I wouldn't have to do this but I can't make them do it, they are very independent! Rubber dishes are fairly inexpensive and won't break. I usually throw them down as hard as I can and all the ice busts right out.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

So is it best then to not let them swim in the dead of winter? Will they freeze to the ground when they get out? Have icicles in their down?

 

[coonhoundmama87]

My muscovies free range year round so when they would bathe in the winter it made their feathers very icy. I don't know if it bothered them but I always felt bad about it. If yours have shelter I'm sure it would be fine though. I did have a khaki hen get pretty chilled once by bathing also, she was fine after I put her in a warmer area for a bit but I just never wanted to risk it again.
Does anyone else have opinions on this??

 

[Miss Lydia]

In the dead of winter when it doesn't get above freezing I don't have the pool filled for the ducks. they don't seem to mind, they do wash their faces in the heated buckets.