The Quack Shack

[Supercow]

Wow, we were also using puppy pads for this year's ducklings and I never even imagined this could happen. Poor little one We expect to be hatching the next batch in March, I hope all goes well.

 

[Luv Ducks]

A funny event today... From the previous winter I was used to the ducks coming out of their house in the morning and staying outside regardless of snow, ice etc. I figured they are just so happy to be outside and it would be like that always.

This year we have an additional flock with their own house. They were let out in the morning as I passed by for the dog walk and it was -3 C (26 F). That's not super bad at all but it is cold enough for them to often sit down and warm their legs.

When we returned ALL the ducks, both the new ones and the 2023 ones, were crowding around and inside the new house

View attachment 4011158

Beautiful Ducks. Mine used to all start quacking in the mornings when I left the house at 4:45 am to go to work. Now with the cold snap we are having, in the low 20's F you don't hear a noise as they don't want to leave their shelters to say goodbye, lol.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Can't wait for hatching season! But that's a ways away.

Brutal wind chill this morning. I switched the ducks to dry food (as opposed to the mash I usually make them) as half their food was freezing before they finished. Extra bedding and straw on the ground so they don't get frostbite.

Temperatures are going to steadily drop over the course of the day. Currently 4f, going down to -8f overnight. I may feed them in the coop tomorrow. Same with the chickens.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Can't wait for hatching season! But that's a ways away.

Brutal wind chill this morning. I switched the ducks to dry food (as opposed to the mash I usually make them) as half their food was freezing before they finished. Extra bedding and straw on the ground so they don't get frostbite.

Temperatures are going to steadily drop over the course of the day. Currently 4f, going down to -8f overnight. I may feed them in the coop tomorrow. Same with the chickens.

We are blessed, it is cold today and tomorrow below freezing but then goes back into the 40's and 50's F. I am looking forward to that as this is our Christmas break. January is usually our coldest month here in Ohio so hopefully we will not get too cold. Last winter was mild compared to some of ours. The coldest I ever remember here is -19 degrees F. That was years ago and I hope I never see that again. My Ducks do well in the cold though so I am very lucky. They have different shelters they can get in with shavings on the ground in them. I hope your cold snap ends soon. I love hatching season even though with just the three small Call Ducks I probably won't have too many fertile eggs. I am looking to buy a Wood Duck online but it would be full grown coming from 2 states away. I have never bought a full grown one before but no one sells babies. I am on a waiting list as none are available right now. Hopefully it will be warmer when I would be able to get one. It would be another female. Good luck with your cold weather.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Wow, your sunsets have been earlier than mine! I check it every day and the earliest was 4:25 pm.

Sunrise is also later for you. Weird.

I am sure that is due to your more northerly latitude, but am too confused now to find the correct explanation…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

A funny event today... From the previous winter I was used to the ducks coming out of their house in the morning and staying outside regardless of snow, ice etc. I figured they are just so happy to be outside and it would be like that always.

This year we have an additional flock with their own house. They were let out in the morning as I passed by for the dog walk and it was -3 C (26 F). That's not super bad at all but it is cold enough for them to often sit down and warm their legs.

When we returned ALL the ducks, both the new ones and the 2023 ones, were crowding around and inside the new house

View attachment 4011158

That's the accusatory look »huuumon did you forget to pay the heating bill?«

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

They are so very cute. I got duck flu and order 12 babies. They added 4 "packing peanuts" I received an email from Ideal for hatchery choice at about $3 each. Yikes I have lost my mind. So much for getting out of the duck business. Ill post blurry pictures tomorrow. There are some Pekins, Swedish (both black and blue) what I think is Buff and some little brown ones with brown feet KC? So very cute. I also had my first death by pee pad ever. One got under the pee pad and her little friends ran over her. I've been using pee pads for years and never seen this.

Reminds me a bit to October 2021 when i covered the kiddypool-brooder with a large towel during some cold nights and one unlucky white layer duckling managed to get on top of it. Found her cold and shivering in the morning, but she made it.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Beautiful Ducks. Mine used to all start quacking in the mornings when I left the house at 4:45 am to go to work. Now with the cold snap we are having, in the low 20's F you don't hear a noise as they don't want to leave their shelters to say goodbye, lol.

Same here, during a warmup at 7am" "QUAAACK! Let us out now, the sun will rise soon!"
When it is cold at 10am: "Just bring the food inside, we're not coming out "

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Wow, we were also using puppy pads for this year's ducklings and I never even imagined this could happen. Poor little one We expect to be hatching the next batch in March, I hope all goes well.

Well, I did something I don't usually and won't again. I didn't take up all the pee pads cause the next day was garbage day so I added a clean layer. Too many pee pads were the problem. I should have cleaned it all out.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Wow, we were also using puppy pads for this year's ducklings and I never even imagined this could happen. Poor little one We expect to be hatching the next batch in March, I hope all goes well.

I use puppy-pads only for the very first days. Latest one week in, i switch over to straw. If the straw is too bulky, i put it into a bucket and cut it with a trimmer.