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I’ve had ducks for 3 years now and one question that people keep asking me is how do I keep ducks warm in the winter. Where I live in southern Saskatchewan, winters can get bitterly cold. Sometimes reaching below -30°C for days at a time. So keeping my ducks happy and warm during the cold spells is important for their safety. and health. Ducks are surprisingly hardy birds, but they do need a little extra care during extreme cold spells. With the right shelter, feed, and daily care routine, your ducks can thrive even in the harshest winters.
1. Shelter and Housing
Ducks are tough, but they aren’t invincible. A proper winter shelter makes all the difference.
- Insulated coop: A well-insulated duck house (without being airtight) keeps drafts out while allowing for good airflow. Ventilation is key to prevent moisture build-up, which can cause frostbite on feet and bills. Keeping your ducks with your chickens if possible will add warmth to the coop and help save you time tending to two coops.
- Deep bedding method: Add straw or wood shavings and keep layering on top as it gets dirty. The decomposing bedding creates a little natural heat. I like to give the floor of my coop a good 4-5 inches of straw. Enough that the ducks don’t have any threat to freezing their feet. As the straw gets wet around their water bowl, I will fork it out and replace it with more dry straw.
- Draft protection: Face the entrance away from winds if you can and use straw bales, or windbreaks outside the coop. It will be very noticeable to feel the warmth in the coop once all drafts are covered up. This is one step I never skip winterizing my coop for winter.
- Dry floor: Ducks can handle cold, but not dampness. Keep bedding dry to prevent frozen feet and respiratory issues. One area that will get noticeably wet is around the duck water trough. It is important for ducks to be able to submerse their bills in water for their health.
2. Water Management
One of the biggest challenges in winter duck care is water. Ducks need access to fresh water daily for drinking and for keeping their nostrils clear. Below I share the reasons why ducks need access to deep water even in the winter.
- Nasal cleaning: Ducks use water to flush out their nostrils. Without it, dust and feed can clog them and cause respiratory issues.
- Eye health: Dunking their bills helps keep their eyes moist and clear of debris.
- Eating & digestion: Ducks scoop feed with their bills and wash it down with water. They can choke or develop crop issues if water isn’t available.
Just having a bucket or deep bowl of unfrozen water (deep enough for them to dunk their entire bill) is enough. Heated water bowls or buckets work well when it’s -30, or you’ll need to refresh water a few times daily to keep it ice-free. I use 5 inch deep rubber round trough like this one LINKED HERE. It is deep enough for the ducks to submerse their bills and it being rubber makes it easy to break the ice.
- Heated water bowls: A heated dog bowl or livestock water heater is a lifesaver.
- Break the ice often: If electricity isn’t available, check water several times a day and break the ice.
- No swimming tubs: While ducks love water, swimming in freezing weather leads to wet feathers and frostbite. Keep baths limited to warmer days.
3. Feeding for Extra Energy
During the winter and especially when it’s -30, ducks burn more calories just to stay warm.
- High-energy feed: Offer a quality waterfowl or poultry feed, and add cracked corn or oats in the evening to help them generate warmth overnight.
- Greens & treats: Supplement with vegetables (kale, cabbage, or peas) to keep nutrition balanced. Hang cabbage heads in the coop for both food and entertainment. The ducks as well as chickens will enjoy the the treats.
- Grit access: Ducks need grit for digestion, especially if you’re feeding whole grains.
Feeding Chickens In the Winter
4. Protecting from Frostbite
Even though ducks have down insulation and oil on their feathers, extreme cold can still cause frostbite. You can learn about treating frostbite in this article.
- Watch the feet: Cold, wet bedding is the biggest cause of frostbite. Keep bedding clean and dry. Even if the bedding gets wet and then freezers and it impossible to remove until spring. I will still put dry bedding on top to unsure ducks won’t freeze their feet.
- Straw paths outside: Laying down straw in their outdoor area keeps their feet off ice and snow. I find that ducks actually like the snow more than my chickens. When we get a big dump of snow the ducks will venture out in the deep snow while the chickens are afraid to step in it. I like to lay some straw or hay down outside after the snow is shoveled away to coax them out on sunny days.
- Allow shelter access: Ducks love to roam outside, but in severe cold I keep the door shut, to keep the warmth in the coop.
5. Egg Laying in Winter
Ducks may slow down or stop laying in the darkest part of winter and that’s normal! I find they like to make a deep nest in the bedding in the corner of the barn, and lay their eggs there. I don’t do anything special to try to keep them laying all winter long.
6. Handling Extreme Cold Spells
When temperatures dip below -30, take extra precautions:
- Make sure drafts are covered: Ducks can go outside briefly, but avoid long exposure. If the sun is shinning and the wind isn’t blowing, I may open the coop door for a bit in the morning to get the morning sun.
- Add Extra bedding: Add more straw or shavings to trap heat.
- Make some Warm mash: Offer a warm, wet mash of feed and water to help them get nutrients without struggling with icy water.
Ducks are more cold-hardy than chickens, but they still need a helping hand when the deep cold sets in. By preparing their shelter, managing water, boosting their feed, and keeping a close eye on frostbite, your ducks can sail through winter—even at -30°C—healthy, happy, and quacking.
Thank you friends, it’s been a pleasure,
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