Overwintering Ducks

BY THE PFFA

Part two of our overwintering series - Some tips on keeping ducks over the winter period..

• Choose ducks which are hardy in your climate

• If the pond freezes there’s less food for them

• Provide a coop and they will have shelter and the eggs will be laid there

• Collect eggs every morning as ducks lay at night and if left all day they can freeze

• Keep coops clean and dry with fresh bedding every other day

• Clean coop completely twice monthly

• Use feeding stations in snow and feed protein rich food as they moult in winter

• Supplement feed with calcium eg crushed oyster shell

• If extra cold feed cracked corn for higher carbs for body heat

• Maintain adequate water for drinking and also for splashing in

• If off-grid you can empty smaller tubs to refill daily