Wintering ducks in northern alberta

I'm just wondering on the best way to winter ducks? I'm wondering if an insulated dog house with some wind break is enough and perhaps a dog heating pad.

I wintered Muscovies in a three sided shelter with a roof. No ducky issues with lots of deep straw and cuddling ducks.

Thanks schipperkesue how many did you have housed together? How did you have there drinking water set up? I know they still need to wash there face and bill. I only have three one call and two Australian spotted just worried when it hits the -30 and lower.

Three Muscovies and six geese, but each species kept to themselves. I have heated water for them in the winter time. You will need to watch their widdle footies to make sure they don't freeze. If I were worried I would hang a heat lamb above them.

Thank you for the advice  

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Thank you Higgins! That's great info! So once winter hits your guys are inside till spring weather? Do you think if we built them a box a fairly large box with heat but they could still access outside when they wanted to would that be okay or should we keep them inside a building all winter?
Do you sell ducks as well?

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Thank you so much Tara that helps me a lot! I have some good ideas now on what I need to get them in for winter. You have a beautiful set up for your guys. I really want my three to be as comfy and cozy warm for winter as they can be. Could I ask at what temp do you take there swimming water away for the season?

I was thinking of housing them with my hens but I'm scared they might pick on them. Although my one call before I got him was raised with chickens and for the longest time he thought he was a chicken. He wanted nothing to do with water until I got a pair of Aussie's for him to have company even then it took him a long time to warm up to them. It was funny and sad all at the same time it was like he kept saying "I'm a chicken I'm a chicken" don't follow me around.  Then one day he realized oh I'm a duck hehehe and I LOVE WATER. My mission now is to find him his own mate as I think he's feeling left out in that aspect. That's why I ask if you sell any of your ducks. Trying to play match maker for him hehehe. Maybe you could keep us in mind if you have a girly there for him in the future.

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At minus 30C, there is no way a duck the size of our clenched fist is going to be able to keep itself warm, even with a heated water source.

If this was true, there would be no non migratory songbirds anywhere in Alberta, and even bantam ducks have the wonderful fat layer, double circulation and soft down that protect all ducks from our extreme cold temperatures. We have never kept many bantam ducks, but those that we do have have been kept in shelters as simple as a plywood a-frame...and we never close the door and there is no danger to the bantam ducks. They are almost always sitting out in the snow when I do chores.

All you need is a dry, wind protected shelter, daily water and some high energy feed and your ducks will do just fine. We give fresh water in rubber tubs once a day and knock out the ice the next morning and all animals on our farm are happy. No need to go through the expense of heating anything.

Thanks for all the info it's great! Love the idea of rubber bucket in the tire I'll give that a try right now they have a kiddie pool. It did have some ice on it this morning blah same with my horse troughs. Also will give the hay a try with them have lots of hay as we farm it. I agree I think they would be better in their own pen for winter. I will see if I can message you pics of them as I can't get them to upload on here 

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More awesome info Tara! I'm trying to order that book righ now lol! 

We have found that if we use a heated bucket/rubber tub and put an old fridge rack over it (secured as to keep it on, & rack having wide enough spaces to get their heads through), that our ducks can access water and don't make a frozen mess.