Winter care in KY!

[Hball]

I have a 10x10 with an full sided insulated wood coop house for my ducks. I have been adding straw to the floor (on concrete) since fall so it’s pretty deep. It gets so wet and nasty that I’m wanting to get rid of all the straw and get those rubber mats with the drainage holes like those used in commercial kitchens. I have also wrapped all sides with tarps 3/4 of the way up. My question is can I get by with just the rubber mats so I can spray it out each day or do they have to have straw for insulation? I’m in ky so winters get cold from time to time but definitely nowhere near the temps of the north! Coldest here can get to single digits but doesn’t usually stay consistent.

 

[Hball]

Also to add, their coop house will have fresh straw in it at all times. It’s up higher so we are also going to enclose the bottom too making it two stories.

 

[CoriM]

I think they need deep bedding in their sleeping area for warmth. I use shavings and keep them about 6 inches deep, each morning I scoop out the poopy and wet areas and top them off. It works out great and keeps the area fresh, dry, and odor free.

 

[Hball]

I think they need deep bedding in their sleeping area for warmth. I use shavings and keep them about 6 inches deep, each morning I scoop out the poopy and wet areas and top them off. It works out great and keeps the area fresh, dry, and odor free.

It’s now going to be -1F with colder windshield for Thurs. they have deep bedding of straw. I’d say it’s every bit of 6 inches if not more. And I added a full straw bale for them to get on if needed. Their entire 10x10 is deep bedding. Although I have it separated with drakes on one side and hens on the other. Will the straw be enough for them when it’s this cold? I only have 2 straw bales left and they are the ones I placed in there to let them get off the ground if they straw ground level happens to freeze or get wet. I’m not able to get more until next week.

 

[CoriM]

I think the straw will be good to keep them warm as long as it's dry! That's the tough part about straw, it's hard to get their poop cleaned out of it and when it's wet and freezes it's cold and sharp. That's just my experience. I know a lot of people use straw. You mentioned something about a raised up part of your coop - just be aware that ducks are pretty clumsy and they can't walk up steep ramps the same way chickens do.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I much prefer shavings to straw for the reasons @CoriM stated.

 

[Hball]

@Miss Lydia @CoriM I will get some shavings and put down before it gets cold! Now windshield is going to be -17F for Friday! Thank you!

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's going to be brutal here through the weekend too. Just set up the sweeter heater for my old roo. Sure hope he'll use it.

 

[CoriM]

I also use a sweeter heater!

 

[Hball]

@Miss Lydia @CoriM sweeter heater? I’ll have to look these up! Also, I have 3 drakes separated from my hens but thought about integrating them all for more warmth… should I or just keep separated? 3 drakes that were hatched in may, 2 hens hatched in may, and 8 hens that around 10 weeks old but small khaki camp. The drakes are saxony, a mixed one that’s same size as saxony and small mallard. When I let them all out to forage then they will try to mount females a couple times and then other times they all get along. But didn’t know if integrating would be a good idea just for this weekend or not.