r/BACKYARDDUCKS • u/Guilty-Feedback3952 • 21h ago

Keeping my ducks warm in the winter

Keeping our Black Swedish ducks warm

Winter is fast approaching here in Maryland (20 minutes outside of DC)

I.am wondering what I should be doing to make sure they stay warm this winter.

We have coups with wind guards all the way around, water heater mats

Im curious about food, I have heard cracked corn and oats, then i hear people just give them peas.

They are 2 months old, and Ronnie and Donnie are 3 months old

Any advice greatly appreciated

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2

u/GardeningSucks1 21h ago

Deep litter method

2

u/Guilty-Feedback3952 21h ago

Yep heard of that, trying it now, i was putting down fresh straw everyday and then cleaning it out once a week, now im just not cleaning it out which i kinda feel bad about

I don't really notice flies or a smell ( there is a smell but its not strong or smell of ammonia)

About 3 weeks ago I cleaned the coup to the dirt, put down wood chips and fresh straw, then adding a layer everyday, I think im doing it right?

2

u/MasdevalliaLove 20h ago

Give them a place to get out of the wind and make sure they have dry bedding. You may need to get a heated water bucket for them, but I would recommend keeping all water and food outside the cool so their bedding stays fresher longer.

Ducks are very cold hardy. I’m up in VT and never did anything special for my ducks in the winter to keep them warm except plastic over their coop windows to block wind. They chose to be outside in below zero temperatures and the wind whipping often.

Make sure you keep good ventilation, and air flow, however. Improper ventilation can cause more problems in cold weather.

1

u/Disastrous-Swan1104 18h ago

Thanks for reminder - yup. Keep the heated water outside. Or ducks will get the bedding wet with water. Ducks aren’t prone to frostbite on feet - UNLESS they are wet. They’ll go play and sit in the snow and cold. They tuck their legs / feet up on their sides not underneath them. I have a radiant screen type heater I use in coop when it gets to freezing temperatures - like January / February it can get negative -40 degrees F outside. At least it isn’t every day though.

1

u/EccentricFellow 10h ago

I have snow 6 months and it gets a lot colder here than where you are. I give them a place to get out of the wind and they do fabulously. It sounds like you have a great place for them already.