One question I'm asked often when people find out we have ducks is - don't they need lakes and ponds even in winter? That's a fair question considering we mostly see wild ducks on the water in summer. The answer is in short no, most farm ducks do not need water for swimming in winter. Most duck breeds that people keep on farms and homesteads are considered land ducks. Sure they enjoy a good swim but they don't need it and they are very happy on dry land, playing in mud and playing in snow. Our ducks love fresh fallen snow!
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| A snowy morning in New Hampshire. |
Ducks do need a regular source of water like most living things but just enough for drinking and digesting food. Clean fresh water given a few times through the day on very cold days or given in a heater water container so it doesn't freeze up is all land ducks need in winter.
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| On a snowy day ducks come out to play, while in the coop the chickens stay! |
The duck breeds we have here are a mix of Khaki Campbell, Rouen, Cayuga and Black Swedish. All of these are suitable for northern winters, they not only survive but they thrive. Our flock is getting older and laying is slowing down some but young ducks will often lay right through the winter when chickens are taking a break.
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| Hooray For Snow! |
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