Duck run in the winter

[the_finch_family]

I've been wondering if someone here has experience with harsh winters and having ducks in those environments.
My duck run is starting to get covered in ice from spilled water and compacted snow, and I was wondering if someone here has any tricks for making the grassy area more comfortable for the ducks in the winter.

At the moment, we're being struck with a few days of -20°C weather, so the ducks will be indoors at least until Monday. Because of this, I'm focusing on making improvements to their coop and run, so any winter improvements would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

(Picture unrelated, just wanted to show off my favourite drake, Loki )

 

[Callender Girl]

First off, your drake is gorgeous! No wonder Loki is your favorite!

I understand wanting to make the run more comfortable for your ducks. Minus 20C is cold; here in northern Iowa, we occasionally get -20 F -- which is ridiculously frigid. Add in the relentless winds that blow across flat, barren fields in the winter, and I often wonder why I live here!

However, my runner ducks seem far less concerned about their winter comfort than I am. I thoroughly mucked out their shelter on the last day of "warm" weather (anything above freezing qualifies) last week.

But when the snow was falling a few days ago, temps dropping and wind blowing, where did my sweet ducks decide to lounge? Not in their clean shelter. They spent the entire day lying on the snow, heads tucked under their wings. They have an amazing downy-feather ability to withstand cold.

Because of an incident with smoldering straw in the winter, I no longer run extension cords to heated dog watering dishes into their run (which is also a misnomer, since it's always open when I'm home and they can go wherever they like). But to reduce the amount of spilled water, I put a boot tray under their water dish to collect some of the mess. And, I trudge out several times a day with fresh water -- I am a servant to my critters' needs.

In the chicken coops, I put their regular waterers inside a black rubber dish to reduce their spills.

I do still lay some straw on the ground in the duck run (without any electricity present!), but I think it's more for my benefit than theirs.

Best luck with your ducks -- and let's hope for an early spring!

 

[the_finch_family]

First off, your drake is gorgeous! No wonder Loki is your favorite!

I understand wanting to make the run more comfortable for your ducks. Minus 20C is cold; here in northern Iowa, we occasionally get -20 F -- which is ridiculously frigid. Add in the relentless winds that blow across flat, barren fields in the winter, and I often wonder why I live here!

However, my runner ducks seem far less concerned about their winter comfort than I am. I thoroughly mucked out their shelter on the last day of "warm" weather (anything above freezing qualifies) last week.

But when the snow was falling a few days ago, temps dropping and wind blowing, where did my sweet ducks decide to lounge? Not in their clean shelter. They spent the entire day lying on the snow, heads tucked under their wings. They have an amazing downy-feather ability to withstand cold.

Because of an incident with smoldering straw in the winter, I no longer run extension cords to heated dog watering dishes into their run (which is also a misnomer, since it's always open when I'm home and they can go wherever they like). But to reduce the amount of spilled water, I put a boot tray under their water dish to collect some of the mess. And, I trudge out several times a day with fresh water -- I am a servant to my critters' needs.

In the chicken coops, I put their regular waterers inside a black rubber dish to reduce their spills.

I do still lay some straw on the ground in the duck run (without any electricity present!), but I think it's more for my benefit than theirs.

Best luck with your ducks -- and let's hope for an early spring!

Thank you! He actually used to leave his flock to follow me at work when he was a teen (I'm a gardener, and his flock is free roaming).

I will try out putting straw down in the run, I think that would definitely help make it less slippery
I will also have to try out putting a tray under the water bowl. I always have issues with the water spillage, despite having a net that let's the water go down in the coop. This is my first winter having outdoor birds, so it's a learning experience. About how big would you say the tray should be in contrast to the bowl? Do you have some pictures?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I live in Alberta and we have got -38 already this year
I have a little duck door on the man door I keep open for my ducks
They stay in more then out at anything colder then -15
At -30 or colder I put a water bucket and feed inside
I would rather a mess to clean then a frozen dead duck
For the smaller pen outside the duck house I have been using shavings on the ground
I flip them twice a day
I have 3 heated water buckets that I put a boot Matt under and switch out every night as the shavings will get wet and turn to ice as well
It’s a lot of work but my birds are not getting covered in ice and snow

 

[ruthhope]

I don't know how you all can stand living with those temperatures and ice and snow!!! For this Florida girl anything below 50F is way too cold.

I deep layer and that has built up since October. It is warm if I dig down into it from the composting process. On a cold day like today its a pleasure to get in, out of the wind, with my ducks in the morning!! Toasty!! I have a section of a tree trunk in there that I placed for one of the muscovies to roost. He doesn't use it, but its perfect for me to sit on. Although the three pekins shoot outside as soon as the door is open and alpha male muscovy follows no matter the weather, the other 2 muscovy stay and chat and have their chests and back of necks cooched!!! Best part of the day.

 

[Callender Girl]

I don't have photos (because I am really low tech and too lazy to learn how to get my phone and computer to talk to each other). Sorry.

I have been using a standard boot tray -- about 24 inches by 14 inches or so -- for the dog dish, which is the size smaller than the 1-gallon one. Boy, I'm just a whole lot of almost-helpful, huh? Taller sides are better on the tray, but anything is an improvement when it comes to trying to reduce duck disasters.

Good thing they are such amazing critters because they sure make messes!

 

[DukesDucks]

I get lots of really cold weather - well below freezing for weeks on end. In the last 48 hours we received 40cm/15 inches of heavy wet snow.
I built my duck run using the frame of portable garage - 10' x 20' and 10' high. It is covered with a tarp. I had to use the roof rake several times in the last few days, to pull the snow off. One end is attached to coop, and I cover one side and other end in tarp to cut down on the wind. Open side faces south.
I use the deep litter method in the winter. I spot clean and throw the shavings into the run. This means that most of the run does not have snow. You could check out information on the circulation system of ducks feet. It is amazing how their body keeps their feet from getting too cold.
No electricity in coop so it is the old fashioned bring out water every day, sometimes twice, and bring containers in every night to thaw.
Even on the coldest day, if the sun is shining they are, by choice, in the run.

 

[the_finch_family]

I get lots of really cold weather - well below freezing for weeks on end. In the last 48 hours we received 40cm/15 inches of heavy wet snow.
I built my duck run using the frame of portable garage - 10' x 20' and 10' high. It is covered with a tarp. I had to use the roof rake several times in the last few days, to pull the snow off. One end is attached to coop, and I cover one side and other end in tarp to cut down on the wind. Open side faces south.
I use the deep litter method in the winter. I spot clean and throw the shavings into the run. This means that most of the run does not have snow. You could check out information on the circulation system of ducks feet. It is amazing how their body keeps their feet from getting too cold.
No electricity in coop so it is the old fashioned bring out water every day, sometimes twice, and bring containers in every night to thaw.
Even on the coldest day, if the sun is shining they are, by choice, in the run.

That's some great info. I aspire to make my run and coop as low tech as possible, and also use the deep litter method.
I think I'll try out making a sort of roof as well, that definitely sounds like a time saver (no need to shovel nearly as much snow). We're experiencing a snow storm at the moment, so it'll definitely put my construction to the test
So far so good though, I will definitely give a run roof a shot!

 

[the_finch_family]

I don't have photos (because I am really low tech and too lazy to learn how to get my phone and computer to talk to each other). Sorry.

I have been using a standard boot tray -- about 24 inches by 14 inches or so -- for the dog dish, which is the size smaller than the 1-gallon one. Boy, I'm just a whole lot of almost-helpful, huh? Taller sides are better on the tray, but anything is an improvement when it comes to trying to reduce duck disasters.

Good thing they are such amazing critters because they sure make messes!

Haha thays completely understandable. Currently on the lookout for a good tray, I'll update when I do find something fitting

 

[the_finch_family]

I don't know how you all can stand living with those temperatures and ice and snow!!! For this Florida girl anything below 50F is way too cold.

I deep layer and that has built up since October. It is warm if I dig down into it from the composting process. On a cold day like today its a pleasure to get in, out of the wind, with my ducks in the morning!! Toasty!! I have a section of a tree trunk in there that I placed for one of the muscovies to roost. He doesn't use it, but its perfect for me to sit on. Although the three pekins shoot outside as soon as the door is open and alpha male muscovy follows no matter the weather, the other 2 muscovy stay and chat and have their chests and back of necks cooched!!! Best part of the day.

Honestly, I'm not sure how the wild birds here managed these temperatures. At least we have winter jackets and houses

Pretty sure my compost got killed by the cold, but I'm hoping I can make it work next winter for the extra heating.
Seeing my ducks sitting out in the snow honestly really stressed me out at first, as someone who owns mostly exotic birds I'm still getting used to their resilience to cold.