Ducks are a great animal to have around if you have the room for them. In the summer, they can roam freely, gobbling up nasty garden pests and laying omega-3 packed eggs. But what about in the winter?
How to keep ducks safe and warm? Ducks are custom built to survive in the cold, but they still need a little help from their owners here and there to make it through winter unscathed. Extra bedding, freshwater, and a little extra food can make a big difference in your ducksâ lives.
In the wild, ducks migrate from area to area to avoid the worst of cold temperatures. This allows them to always have access to food, water, and a warm place to sleep. Domestic ducks, however, rely entirely on their owners to provide these things, especially in the winter.
Can Ducks Live in the Snow?
Ducks generally do well in the snow. Their feathers work just like a winter coat, waterproof on the outside and insulating on the inside. The biggest problem many duck owners face with snow is their ducksâ feet. While the duckâs body is covered in thick layers of warm feathers, their feet are bare.
Luckily, duck feet arenât entirely defenseless when it comes to the cold. They have a specialized circulatory system in their feet which combats the risks of developing hypothermia or frostbite. You still need to be careful however, because in extreme temperatures the ground will be too cold for your ducks to handle.
Youâll know the ground is too cold for the duck to walk because youâll see it take a few steps and then lay down. It does this so it can pull its feet close to its body to warm them before trying to take a few more steps. This can make it difficult for them to get to their food and water.
The best thing to do if the snow is too cold for your ducks is to lay down a heavy layer of straw or wooden boards. Anything that the duck can walk on to get off the ground and protect its feet.
Can Ducks Tolerate Cold Weather?
Most ducks can handle cold weather with ease. For most ducks their fluffy feathers and thick fat make them perfectly suited to the cold, but they do have their limits. If the average temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, then ducks will often have trouble keeping themselves warm and may experience some potential health risks. The two most prominent health risks are hypothermia and frostbite.
Signs and Treatment of Hypothermia in Ducks
Hypothermia is a medical condition that happens when a person or animalâs core body temperature lowers to a dangerous level. Ducks who are suffering hypothermia will be limp and the skin under their feathers will be cold to the touch. Animals who are suffering from hypothermia need to be warmed gently and slowly until they reach their average body temperature. An adult duckâs body temperature should be close to 107.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your duck has developed hypothermia the best thing to do is get them somewhere warm and start trying to raise its body temperature slowly. Warm towels and a hairdryer set on low is recommended. It can take a long time for the bird to show signs of recovery so donât give up. Youâll know the bird is recovering when it begins to make sounds or tries to move.
Once the bird seems more aware of its surroundings, and its skin feels warm, place it in a box near a heat source such as a radiator or a brood lamp. Leave it there until it has fully recovered.
http://www.pocketfarm.co.uk/hypothermia-and-frostbite-in-chickens-and-ducks/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682
Signs and Treatment of Frostbite
Frostbite happens when areas of the duckâs skin freeze. This can present itself as red irritated spots on the duckâs skin. In extreme cases, the skin may appear swollen or even black and shriveled. Their feet and legs are most susceptible to this condition as well as any exposed facial tissue, such as the Muscovy duck.
If your duck has frostbite the best thing to do is try to quickly rewarm the duckâs skin in a warm water bath. Do not touch the area of the frostbite. Once the area has thawed, place the duck somewhere warm to continue recovering. Topical ointments like aloe vera can be used on the damaged skin. If frostbite is severe please consult a vet as soon as possible.
http://www.duckdvm.com/condition/frostbite
How to Prevent Cold-Weather Injuries to Ducks
The best way to prevent cold-weather injuries in ducks is to do your best to protect them from the worst of the cold. Insulating layers of hay, straw or wood chips laid on the ground prevents injuries to your ducksâ feet.
An easily accessible, well-insulated coop will reduce the risk of hypothermia. In areas with extremely harsh winters, it may be a good idea to even have a large sheltered area such as a shed or barn available to your ducks. This way they have space to move around but arenât exposed to the harsh cold.
How to Insulate Your Coop
Ducks do best if they have a coop to take shelter in during the winter.
Duck coops donât have to be elaborate. They just need to protect them from the wind, snow, and predators. A dog house, outbuilding, or even a childrenâs play shed can easily be converted into a safe place for you ducks to rest.
In the winter it helps if our coop is insulated to help your ducks stay nice and warm. Electrical heating systems can be dangerous and unnecessary for ducks. The best way to insulate a duck coop is to simply add plenty of extra straw to the coop, especially along the walls. The straw helps by taking up empty space in the coop and blocks the cold before it reaches your ducks.
Removing food and water from the coop at night is also important. Ducks generate a lot of moisture on their own and too much humidity inside the coop increases the risk of frostbite. Food should be removed as well because ducks can easily choke on dry food without water.
Be sure to remove and replace any soiled straw daily so as to prevent moisture and bacteria buildup.
Predator Proof Your Coop
Winter can be a rough time for all animals and the local predators are no exception. Rats, weasels, foxes, and many more are going to be looking for warmth and food. Donât let your coop become a buffet. Check your coop thoroughly and perform any repairs you need to. Reinforce fencing, corners, roof, and the floor if necessary. If your coop has a dirt floor it may be a good idea to lay down some wire mesh to prevent any rodents from burrowing their way in.
How to Keep Your Ducksâ Drinking Water from Freezing?
Ducks need constant access to water throughout the day to maintain their health. To prevent their water from freezing solid there are several methods a duck owner can use.
The simplest is to just check the water frequently to remove any ice and refill the bowl. This method can be time-consuming and many people find it burdensome but if you find yourself checking your coop frequently anyway this may be a good method for you.
Heated pet bowls. Electrically heated pet bowls are widely available and are very popular with duck owners. Most bowls have built-in thermostats which automatically turn the bowls on when the temperature drops below freezing. These bowls are especially effective because they can be kept outside of the coop preventing the ducks from spilling the water and getting their bedding wet.
Heated water base. Also available are electrically heated water bases. These are made to be used with metal duck and chicken waterers. If you choose to use a heated water base be sure to place it on some bricks away from any straw or hay as it can be a fire hazard.
Ping pong balls. Floating a few ping pong balls in your ducksâ water dish can help to prevent ice from forming as quickly as it normally would. The movement of the balls from the wind and the ducks moving the ping pong balls to drink stops ice from forming on the surface of the water.
Saltwater bottle. A 20oz bottle of water with Πa cup of salt added to it can help to prevent duck water bowls from freezing. Salt lowers the freezing point of water. By floating the bottle in the water bowl it will help to lower the freezing point of the surrounding water while also reducing ice formation on the surface.
Boiling water. Some people like to use boiling water to keep their ducksâ drinking water thawed. Simply take some boiling water to your duck coop a couple of times a day and add it to any frozen water to help thaw it out. Be careful if you choose to use this method so as to not burn yourself or your ducks.
https://www.thecapecoop.com/6-ways-to-keep-your-chicken-duck-water-from-freezing/
Feeding Ducks in Winter
Most people who keep ducks allow them to free-range so they can forage for their own food. This becomes a problem in the winter when the grass is frozen the bugs are gone. This means the ducks will need to have their food supplied by their owner.
Duck feed should always be available for your ducks and it often helps to supplement their feed with calcium in the winter to promote healthy feather growth. Giving your ducks a carbohydrate-heavy snack, such as cracked corn, before you lock them in their coop for the night can also help to keep them warm as their bodies burn energy digesting it.
https://thriftyhomesteader.com/cold-ducks-keeping-ducks-in-winter/
Best Winter Treats for Ducks
Because ducks need the energy to stay warm itâs important to give them a little extra food when it gets cold. That makes treats a great way to help your ducks through the winter. Ducks need extra protein and calcium in the winter and a few carbohydrates can help them stay warm at night.
Calcium supplements are sold at most farm and pet stores but you can also give your ducks calcium by feeding them crumbled eggshells.
Normally ducks get all the protein they need from their feed and bugs they find in your garden. But bugs can be hard to find once it gets cold outside and the ducks need more protein than usual in the winter because it gives them the energy to stay warm. Luckily for the ducks, you can buy bugs at the store. Most pet stores sell live crickets and sometimes mealworms which are packed full of protein. Your duck may also enjoy some plain yogurt or eggs for that extra protein boost.
As mentioned before, a small treat of carbohydrate-rich foods before putting your ducks in for the night can help keep them warm through the night. A few duck friendly carbs are oats, potatoes, crackers, and pasta.
Just as there is good food for ducks there is also bad food. Bread, spinach, onions, avocados, and many other foods can cause severe issues with ducks digestive systems.
https://www.thecapecoop.com/winter-duck-care/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/
Swimming in Winter
Ducks donât actually need to have swimming water constantly available to them. If swimming water isnât available to them in winter there is no harm done.
If they do have swimming water available in cold weather, itâs perfectly safe for them to swim. Even if the water is frozen in some places, the duck will still be able to swim without any issues. An interesting fact about ducks is that they have a highly specialized circulatory system in their feet. The arteries carrying blood to their feet are very close to the veins that carry the blood back to their heart. This causes the warm blood from the duckâs body to cool down and the cold blood from its feet to warm up. The cooled, but not cold, blood keeps the duckâs feet warm enough to not be damaged but not so cold that it lowers the duckâs core body temperature.
Because of this, ducks can happily swim in cold water. While it isnât necessary, your ducks will still be likely to enjoy swimming in their ponds or kiddie pools if you fill it up for them.
https://askanaturalist.com/why-don%E2%80%99t-ducks%E2%80%99-feet-freeze/
Eggs in Cold Weather
Ducks lay eggs year-round and mostly do so at night. Egg production decreases in winter but normally doesnât stop completely. These eggs should be collected when you let your ducks out in the morning. If you wait the eggs might freeze and crack their own shells.
It is possible to salvage frozen eggs though. If the shell isnât cracked the egg will still be safe to eat once it thaws. To thaw the frozen eggs simply place them in a bowl in the refrigerator and wait overnight. The eggs may have a grainy texture to them after freezing and thawing. If the egg is cracked it can either be cooked and given to your ducks as a snack or thrown away. Do not consume any eggs if theyâre cracked because the risk of bacterial contamination is too high to take a chance.
Caring for Ducklings in Winter
Because ducks lay eggs year-round thereâs always a chance youâll end up with some ducklings in winter. Ducklings are far more sensitive to temperature than adult ducks are. Most people recommend a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit for newly hatched ducklings.
The temperature you keep your ducklings at can be lowered by 5 degrees every week as the ducklings grow. Once the ducklings are 2 months old theyâll be acclimated to an average temperature of 50 degrees. If the outside temp is still too cold for the ducklings they should be kept indoors until the temperature reaches a safe level. Be sure to never drop the temperature too far too quickly or you risk sending the ducklings into shock.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/baby-ducks-in-the-winter.1208390/
What Breeds are Best for your Climate?
While most if not all duck breeds are well suited for the cold. There are some that do better than others. Larger breeds, like the Pekin duck, do much better in the harsh cold. Smaller breeds, like the Indian runner, tend to have a rougher time in the cold and will need more care through the cold months. The best way to figure out the right ducks for you is to see whatâs available in your area and what other people have had success keeping in the past.
Ducks are extremely hardy little birds and most cold climates donât bother them a bit. If you are considering getting birds but youâre worried about harsh winters, ducks are a great option. Whether it be for meat, eggs, or just as family pets. Ducks can offer all that and more to any person willing to care for them.
FAQs
How do you keep ducks warm in cold weather? âș
A nice thick layer of chopped straw on the floor of your duck house will be appreciated. Ducks love to snuggle down into the bedding at night to keep warm. Use additional bales of straw for 'insulation' along the inner walls if you live in an extremely cold climate and have a large house for them.
How do you keep ducks outside? âșSince most duck breeds don't roost like chickens do, they are on the ground all the time. Extra straw helps keep them off the cold ground and helps to manage the copious amounts of duck poop that will accumulate. You'll likely need to put down a full bale of straw two to three times throughout the winter.
Do ducks need shelter in the winter? âșWhile ducks are very hardy, they do need shelter from the weather. They don't mind being out in the rain, but high winds, sleet and ice storms, and heavy snowfall are very stressful for ducks. What is this? Our ducks are out on pasture during the day, but they all go into their respective coops at night.
What is the best duck food for winter? âșIn winter, their diet is mostly made of seeds, and aquatic vegetation, specifically acorns, corn, rice, and wheat. So if you still want to enjoy feeding ducks, make sure you are offering something similar to what they would naturally be feeding on.
How do you keep ducks water from freezing in the winter? âșIn addition to the ping pong balls, floating plastic bottles filled at least half way full of standard table salt will help prevent the water from freezing, as well. In my personal experience, the salt water bottles often prevent duck waterers from freezing until it gets into the low teens.
What kind of shelter do ducks need? âșThe Small Home Flock
The shelter should be located on a high, well-drained area of the yard. Whenever available, sandy soil is preferable for the duck yard because it drains quickly after a rain. The earth floor of the sheltered area should be bedded with straw, shavings or similarly dry absorbent material.
Waterfowl possess remarkable adaptations to survive in cold weather, including dense layers of insulating feathers, counter- current blood flow to reduce heat loss through their feet and legs, behavioral modifications to reduce exposure to the elements, the ability to carry large fat reserves, and perhaps the greatest ...
How to build a winter duck house? âșDucks don't need anything fancy. They sleep on the floor and don't even really need a nest box. A cozy corner of the house with a pile of straw is good enough for a nest. Their house can just be a wooden box or old dog house that is at least 3 feet high, with 4 square feet of floor space for each duck you plan to have.
Can ducks stay out in the cold rain? âșThey are quite happy to stay out in it, and they often preen their feathers and poke around in puddles. (The British refer to a rainy day as âa lovely day for ducks.â) They don't even seem to mind snow or sleet, but they dislike cold and windy weather.
Do ducks need a heat lamp in the winter? âșDepending on where you live, the winter may be colder or milder than in other places. But regardless of the mildness of your winter, your ducklings will more than likely require a heat lamp to help them stay warm and survive the winter.
Where do ducks sleep at night? âș
Ducks mostly sleep floating on water.
They are flexible when it comes to their choice of where to sleep. For example, a species of ducks known as mallards can sleep both on land and water. Another species known as Muscovy ducks can also roost (sleep) on the ground.
Scrambled eggs are one of our ducks' favorite treats. Other favorite proteins include dried or live mealworms, earthworms, slugs, crickets, minnows, feeder fish, cooked fish or meat leftovers, lobster or shrimp shells. Avoid: Ducks don't digest nuts and large seeds well.
What is the best human food for ducks? âșDON'T: Feed ducks bread or junk food. Foods like bread and crackers have no nutritional value to ducks and can cause malnutrition and painful deformities if consumed too much. DO: Feed ducks cracked corn, oats, rice, birdseed, frozen peas, chopped lettuce, or sliced grapes.
What can I feed my ducks to keep them warm? âșWe like to give our ducks peanuts, organic cracked corn, or scratch grains in the evenings in the winter for a little extra protein. These foods take a little longer to digest and help them stay warm overnight.
Does a tennis ball stop water freezing? âșWhile floating a 2-liter soda bottled filled with salt water or tennis/soccer balls in a stock tank can help prevent freezing, in temperatures as low as those experienced in Texas last week, this option doesn't work. Keep it up your sleeve for when temperatures are only slightly below freezing.
What can you put in water so it doesn't freeze? âșFill a plastic bottle with water and a cup of salt. The salt will keep the water in the bottle from freezing.
Can I put ice in my ducks water? âșAdding ice cubes or frozen water bottles to the tubs will help keep the water cooler longer. Your ducks will most likely stand in the water tubs to cool off their feet, which is fine. They'll still drink the water, but plan on refilling the tubs more often in the summer than at other times of the year.
What is the best ground cover for ducks? âșGood choices of grasses include rye, wheat grass or millet. You can also section off part of the pen periodically and plant grass or leafy greens such as kale, collards, spinach, chard, dandelions etc. Then take down the fencing to let your ducks enjoy the buffet once it's matured.
What do ducks like to sleep in? âșDucks don't roost and will be perfectly happy sleeping on soft straw or shavings on the coop floor. They don't necessarily even need nesting boxes, but rather seem to prefer making themselves a nest in one corner of the coop. They also are more cold-hardy and enjoy cooler temperatures, summer and winter.
How can I help my bird in extreme cold? âșIn areas where the weather can turn cold and possibly freeze the water in bird baths, a heater or heated birdbath is a great option. Roosting boxes or natural plant covers can also help birds seeking protection from cold weather and natural predators.
Where do the ducks go when the pond freezes over? âș
After smaller water bodiesâsuch as the Pondâfreeze over, ducks will begin the search for open water. If you don't see them at the Harlem Meer or the Lake, you'll find them at the Reservoir, where the water's surface is usually too large to freeze.
Do ducks shiver when cold? âșAnother cool physiological adaptation: Birds will "shiver," but not like us. They activate and contract opposing muscles, which helps retain heat without actually moving around too much.
What is a ducks worst enemy? âșSnakes are well documented wood-duck nest raiders, while snapping turtles, largemouth bass, northern pike and even bullfrogs pull plenty of ducklings below the surface. Feral cats, weasels, opossums and herons are also on the hunt for newborn ducks.
What are ducks afraid of? âșScarecrows with movable parts, fake plastic snakes and even plastic or ceramic dogs will often keep waterfowl away. These work best if moved around the yard every few days so that they are not always in the same place.
What is the best animal to protect ducks? âșGeese make great protectors of smaller flocks, such as chickens, ducks, and quail. They can also protect a building or your personal possessions. While they are excellent at sounding the alarm, be aware that they might succeed in chasing off only a few intruders.
What do you put on the floor of a duck house? âșVinyl Peel and Stick Maple Plank Floor Tile would be a great duck house flooring product to install over concrete, wood, or other smooth and solid surface.
Do you put water in a duck house? âșThey need water to keep their eyes, bills, feet and feathers in good condition. The water should be deep enough for them to stick their whole head into and to wash their body. The water container needs to have a shallow edge so that the ducks can get out again easily if they happen to climb in.
How do you set up a backyard duck? âșBecause ducks roost on the ground at night, they are susceptible to predators. Under most circumstances, ducks should be locked up at nighttime in a yard that is tightly fenced with woven wire or netting at least four feet high.
Will ducks seek shelter? âșHousing: Ducks need shelter at night (and for the winter) and shade during the summer. If you already have a chicken coop, you can confidently keep your ducks in the same coop at night, provided you have enough room. But be aware â ducks don't put themselves to bed like chickens do.
What do you put in a duck coop? âș- Chopped leaves. Each fall, we can rake and bag piles of leaves. ...
- Straw/hay. Straw and hay are not actually the same thing. ...
- Cedar shavings. What's a product that will keep mold, insects, and Aspergillus fumigatus away? ...
- Aspen shavings. ...
- Pine needles. ...
- Large flake pine shavings.
What do ducks do in bad weather? âș
As winds intensify, ducks move to protected areasâriver backwaters, lake coves, green-timber openings, the lee side of islands. Rain and/or sleet intensifies their scramble for shelter, limiting and defining the places they are likely to be. More and more birds move into fewer and fewer areas.
Can a duck survive without a heat lamp? âșDucklings can live outside without supplementary heat by 4 weeks of age however by this age they will be very big and very messy. This is not a task to take on unless you are very committed to cleaning out a very soggy wet messy brooding area at least twice a day.
How do ducks stay warm at night? âșWaterfowl species circulate blood through a countercurrent heat exchange, isolating the blood that flows in their legs rather than circulating it throughout their entire bodies. This helps to keep their body temperatures higher. Birds also have specialized scales on their feet and legs that help minimize heat loss.
How do you winterize a duck coop? âșStacking straw bales along the inner walls of your duck shelter (if there is extra room), is helpful because they not only take up some of the cold, dead air space, your ducks often like to squeeze behind them to sleep, which also helps them to keep warm. Duck shelters should never be heated.
Can ducks live without a pond? âșDucks don't need a pond to be happy, but they definitely enjoy splashing and paddling around in a kiddie pool. In addition to having a place to bathe, ducks need a deep enough water source to keep their mucous membranes moist.
Do ducks sleep on land or water at night? âșMost of the time, geese and ducks sleep at night right on the water. Eagles and hawks aren't a threat because they also sleep during the night, and any predator swimming after the birds would send vibrations through the water, waking them up. Small islands work, too.
Can ducks see in the dark? âșUV vision isn't the only advantage ducks have over humans. âThey also have a high density of rods that allow them to see at night,â Oring said. And the perks of bird vision don't stop there. In addition to seeing a wider range of the light spectrum and having better low-light vision, they have another advantage.
Where do ducks sleep when it's cold? âșIn the winter, migratory ducks form large communal roosting flocks in their chosen wintering regions. Non-migratory ducks typically roost in flocks, often huddling under shrubs and bushes to keep warm.
How do you build a duck shelter for the winter? âșDucks don't need anything fancy. They sleep on the floor and don't even really need a nest box. A cozy corner of the house with a pile of straw is good enough for a nest. Their house can just be a wooden box or old dog house that is at least 3 feet high, with 4 square feet of floor space for each duck you plan to have.
How do you insulate a duck coop? âșPine shavings work fine for bedding, but our ducks prefer straw. Straw has wonderful insulating properties during colder months, keeping ducks warm; it also holds its shape better, so they don't end up sleeping on the cold wood or cement floor.
What do ducks need inside their coop? âș
Ducks don't need much inside the coop; just a soft layer of straw will do. With chickens, food and water are often provided inside the coop, but for ducks, it's best to keep those outside.
Where do farm ducks sleep at night? âșDucks don't roost and will be perfectly happy sleeping on soft straw or shavings on the coop floor. They don't necessarily even need nesting boxes, but rather seem to prefer making themselves a nest in one corner of the coop.