Ideas for Blizzards

[3bird]

We've had a blowy day with lots of snow, and the ducks have been locked into their duckhouse since about noon. They are settled and sleeping now. According to the weather, the snow is supposed to wind down by around 5, but it will be dark by then and the wind and cold are supposed to persist.

What would you do in terms of feeding them? Let them out and into the run (which is pretty full of drifted snow) to eat and drink for ~20 minutes and then lock them back in? And here's a silly question: They are used to mealworms when they go into their duckhouse. Can we still give them a mealworm treat even if they are not going to have access to water overnight?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Welshies]

I suggest moving the food and water into the coop. It'll make a mess, but it's what they need.
Waterfowl need water to swallow food so do not give them mealworms without access to water.

 

[PirateGirl]

For my chickens the food and water is always outside. I open the coop and let them decide when they want to come out and when they want to go in. This week we had a blizzard, snow, 50mph wind, below zero temps, they go in and out throughout the day. If it's cold they sometimes stay in the coop until almost 9:00am then will come out to investigate and grab some food then put themselves right back inside. I try and remind myself that they are hardy and try not to worry. The wind has died off and they are pecking around in the snow as I type. The temp is hovering around 20 degrees F currently with snow flurries, the best weather they've seen this week.

 

[Welshies]

20 degrees F? That's warm!
It's -15 F here. 2-6 feet of snow depending on the winter. It's warmer than usual this year.
I keep my food and water in the coop for chickrns, so they can eat of their own accord (to keep them warmer during frigid nights of -40), then they can choose to hunker down or head out and forage for spilled grain, seeds, or other food on the ground outside. They'll eat snow while outside as well.
I also have chicks so the food and water inside is healthier for the chicks.

 

[PirateGirl]

20 degrees F? That's warm!
It's -15 F here. 2-6 feet of snow depending on the winter. It's warmer than usual this year.
I keep my food and water in the coop for chickrns, so they can eat of their own accord (to keep them warmer during frigid nights of -40), then they can choose to hunker down or head out and forage for spilled grain, seeds, or other food on the ground outside. They'll eat snow while outside as well.
I also have chicks so the food and water inside is healthier for the chicks.

That was my point. The chickens are thrilled with 20 degree weather right now, it's a heat wave compared to a few days ago, but they were outside when it was zero the other day too. They don't seem to mind the cold so much as the wind.

 

[Welshies]

That was my point. The chickens are thrilled with 20 degree weather right now, it's a heat wave compared to a few days ago, but they were outside when it was zero the other day too. They don't seem to mind the cold so much as the wind.

Mine as well. Only the snow seems to bother their feet, and after using hay on top, they love being outside.

 

[lcwmt]

I don't know about ducks and how to manage them domestically.
Blizzards OTOH, yup.
20F above would be a treat for us...maybe next week. This last few weeks we've had single digit temps above and below zero along with snow and strong winds. One or two of the six pullets will venture into their run, most are choosing to stay in the coop.
(Once we are back to the teens and twenties, they will go out of the run, work the yards for whatever is there.)
The coop is not heated or insulated. It has ventilation under the roof lines, both North and South. FWIW, I monitor the coop temperature and humidity. It stays consistently in line with outdoors temps, generally a little warmer and drier but not much. The chickens are acclimated to this climate. That is a relief.
Their run is covered with a greenhouse tarp, open 18" from the ground on the South side. The heated water dish is in the run, along with a 3 Lb. feeder which is kept topped off. We are feeding 18% all flock with BOSS and OS on the side. The pop door is always open.

Being soft hearted and concerned for one of the girls, I put a dish of water and a plate of food in the coop twice a day at these temps. When I know the temps will drop again I put another flake of straw in the coop. The DLM is getting nice and deep <G>.

They are giving us 3-5 eggs a week right now. That's ok, once days are longer and warmer they'll kick back in.

 

[SueT]

This thread has given me great relief, I guess I'm gonna stop worrying about winter temps here in southern MO, lol.....

 

[lcwmt]

This thread has given me great relief, I guess I'm gonna stop worrying about winter temps here in southern MO, lol.....

It feels cold to you (and it is!) but your birds will be fine if you leave them the time to adjust <G>.

 

[aart]

What would you do in terms of feeding them? Let them out and into the run (which is pretty full of drifted snow) to eat and drink for ~20 minutes and then lock them back in?

That's not enough time for a full days fuel in cold weather.
Either clear the run and protect it from at least wind if not snow accumulation.....
....or put the feed and water in the coop.