• HOME
  • ABOUT ME
  • MY ETSY SHOP
  • SERVICES
  • CONTACT
  • FREE E-BOOK
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Down A Cow Trail

Hand Sown & Homegrown

  • COWS ‘N CRITTERS
  • CHICKENS & DUCKS
  • GARDEN
  • HOMEGROWN KITCHEN
  • DIY PROJECTS
CHICKENS & DUCKS, DOWN A COW TRAIL

Caring for Ducks in Winter

January 25, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn an affiliate commission if you click on a link and purchase an item at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Ducks are particularly hardy so caring for ducks in winter is easy. I raise Pekin ducks now, but growing up we had Rouens and Swedish Blues (so pretty!) All three of these breeds are heavyweight ducks and their needs are pretty simple in colder weather – shelter, water, and food.

Shelter

I remember my Mom always telling me that ducks just need shelter from the wind. They can survive some pretty coooold temps as long as they can get out of the wind. This past summer I built my ‘duck ark’ or duck house that looks like it could go afloat. But I won’t be trying that anytime soon!

(Before I go on, be sure to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!)

The ‘ark’ is made up of a little house and little run. I wasn’t concerned about the small size since I let my ducks out everyday (Unless I go to town and know I won’t be home before dark. We have too many predators to chance leaving them out too late.)

Duck House


The house has an opening to the run with no door. Most nights, unless is exceptionally cold or windy, the ducks sleep halfway in their house. On those extra cold nights they snuggle inside their house and are perfectly happy. They really are hardy birds.

Water

Ducks need a LOT of water (which can be hard when it’s sub-zero out!). I often water my ducks twice a day because their water pan will freeze solid. They require water to soften and digest their food, and to keep their beaks/airway clean. If you watch a duck eat they’ll nibble some food then get water, nibble some food then get water, and on and on it goes.

Ducks in winter

Oh how those ducks can make a mess! I’ve come up with a plan to keep them out of the chicken coop/water. An idea I’ll share later on after it warms up a bit and I can work outside without freezing my fingertips off!

Both of my chicken houses have heated water bowls in the winter, but the ducks don’t get that luxury. Why? Because I’d be filling the water everyday anyways. They either get the water so dirty it turns into mud or else they just splash it all out. The little darlings. They LOVE water so much, they just can’t help themselves.

Be sure to grab my free First-Aid for Livestock Checklist!

Their watering bowl is a black rubber pan. I am able to turn it over and pop the ice out without cracking the pan and refill it every morning. On warmer days I fill up one of my larger buckets with water for them to play in and it’s deep enough to clean their sweet faces too.

Feed

When ‘Jemima’ and ‘Franklin’ were ducklings I fed them chick starter feed and supplemented it with brewers yeast. Ducks have a higher requirement for niacin than do chickens, so the brewers yeast added in the extra vitamins. I also gave them oats in addition to the chick starter. Thankfully as adults they eat a LITTLE less than they did as ducklings. Man oh man did they go through feed as babies!!

Duck eating


Now I feed them a layer crumble and let them free range every day. They have their own special feeder in the duck ark, but they go around and eat everyone else’s feed too.

Jemima is a great layer, so I’m excited to let her sit on some eggs this spring! Babies for everyone!

There you have it! Caring for ducks in the winter is easy as long as you provide shelter, water, and food to keep them happy and healthy.

Until next time, happy trails!

Tiffany

Share
Tweet
Pin
WhatsApp
Email

Related

Leave a Comment

« 3 Reasons Why You Need Ceramic Eggs in Your Coop
Keep Your Hens Laying Through Winter »

RELATED POSTS

  • Canning BeetsPressure Canning Beets – A Simple Guide
  • Your Guide to Buying a Family Milk Cow
  • 10 Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Homesteader
  • Clean Out Your GuttersCleaning Gutters

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Windmill
If you travel down a cow trail in the Nebraska Sandhills, you might find me, Tiffany. Wife to a 5th generation rancher, & mommy to the 6th generation. We raise registered Black Angus cattle, along with my little herd of Jersey cows. Originally a PNW native, I married a rancher and moved to the Nebraska prairie...Read more...
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

JOIN THE LIST

One of the best sources for organic, non-GMO products for your kitchen, home, livestock, and gardens. From wholesome bulk food to organic chicken feed, you will supply your homestead with healthful and safe products. #downacowtrail #azurestandard #bulkfood #chickenfeed
Uncle Jim's Worm Farm

CATEGORIES

  • CHICKENS & DUCKS
  • COWS & CRITTERS
  • DIY MAKEOVERS
  • DIY NEW CONSTRUCTION
  • DIY PROJECTS
  • DOWN A COW TRAIL
  • GARDEN
  • HOMEGROWN KITCHEN
  • HOMESTEADING
  • JERSEY COWS
  • RECIPES
  • SOIL HEALTH
  • THE FLOWER GARDEN
  • THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

ARCHIVES

  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017

POPULAR POSTS

3 Reasons Why You Need Ceramic Eggs in Your Coop

Molly

Simple Daily Milking Routine For the Home Dairy

Your Guide to Buying a Family Milk Cow

Molly…always with her nose in the food. My kinda Molly…always with her nose in the food. My kinda girl😂 Had our first snow that was more than just a dusting today. So thankful!

I’ve been so busy lately. My garden basket hit bestseller on Etsy🙏🏻🙌🏻 so my shop has been quite busy. I’m so thankful and it keeps me hopping!
Collected ingredients for supper tonight from the Collected ingredients for supper tonight from the veg garden😋 I used the small garden basket I made for our daughter. These ones are great for collecting produce and eggs! 

Garden baskets are back in stock on my Etsy site in multiple sizes!
Late summer (and drought 🥴) garden views! We ha Late summer (and drought 🥴) garden views! We had rain yesterday and it felt so good! Thankful for every drop 🙏🏻
Life has been busy to say the least! Thankful for Life has been busy to say the least! Thankful for a business I can run at home and for a milk cow who keeps us and our extended family well stocked! 

My grandparents grew up during the Great Depression. I’ll always remember how my grandma (who grew up in Charlo, MT) said they didn’t suffer because they had a milk cow. My grandpa grew up in Butte, MT and he suffered from rickets as a child due to malnutrition during the depression. I’ll always have a milk cow! 

We are getting quite a few fall calves now and sure enjoying the cool mornings!
Garden baskets are back in stock! And now customiz Garden baskets are back in stock! And now customizable with a laser engraved name! 

I’ve made a limited amount of baskets and plan to restock again in a couple weeks. You can find them with the personalization option in my Etsy shop💛

 #downacowtrail #handsownhomegrown #gardener #gardenersworld #gardengift #gardenbasket #gardentools #gardeningtools #inthegarden #gardening #goodliferanchwife #gardeninglife #gardeninglove #homesteading #rurallife #ranchwife #ranchlife #agwomen #womeninag #artistsoninstagram #fineart #womensupportingwomen #womeninbiz #gardenlife #gardengals #womenownedbusiness #ruralliving #nebraska #nebraskalife
Molly has made the transition to OAD (once a day) Molly has made the transition to OAD (once a day) milking. I love it when my cows get to this point in their lactations😅 The cow’s milk supply is stable and the calf nurses enough so that we can find this lovely balance. 

I still keep Molly locked off of fresh grass at night feeding her cake and alfalfa. This keeps the rumen working and makes the milk sweeter and creamier. Her calf is locked in with her at night, for now. 

Penny (the heifer on the left) stays out on grass all night.

#downacowtrail #handsownhomegrown #goodliferanchwife #jerseycow #familycow #milkcow #rawmilk #a2a2milk #dairycows #dairycowsofinstagram #heifercalf #heifers  #jerseyheifer #jerseycows #thegoodlife #ranchwife #ranchlife #homesteadlife #rurallife #ruralliving #homesteadersofinstagram #homesteadersofamerica #homesteading #jerseyscowsofinstagram #ranching #cowsofinstagram #ranchlife #livingthecountrylife #countrylifestyle #ranchher #womeninag
Canned this year’s first batch of peaches this w Canned this year’s first batch of peaches this week. So delicious!! I grew up helping my mom can, and peaches was one of my favorite things to help with 😋 

45 peaches to a dozen quarts for reference. 

Pro tips: To get beautiful canned peaches (that aren’t mushy), can the peaches when they are just starting to get soft to the touch. 

When removing skins in hot water, watch them closely and remove them from the water as soon as the skin is ready to peel. If you leave then in too long the peaches will start to cook and they won’t can up as pretty😍
For a few years now I’ve been focusing on adding For a few years now I’ve been focusing on adding more perennials to our landscape. One of the reasons why…I love Hydrangeas😍 This Incrediball hydrangea is still young, but it’s blooms are so big and beautiful, and they last a long time! 

Perennials are so good for giving structure and beauty to a landscape. It’s been a dry year, and these babies love moisture, so making sure they have enough water has been a priority. 💦
Mr. Toad - a welcome guest in my garden any day 🐸 One of our kiddos’ favorite critters to catch. Did you know toads squeak? Swipe to hear what they sound like 😅
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COOKIE POLICY
  • ABOUT ME

COPYRIGHT 2020 Down A Cow Trail

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS
Our site uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. Find out more.