My ducks are split up now too for random other reasons I have 8 outside and 4 inside its a circus act I have to move everyone to get the geese through and the chickens are stealing the ducks house during the day in frigid weather and ducks are NOT happy about that LOL@Jenbirdee @Miss Lydia @Canadian Wind
The ventilation does need to be fixed, I need better ventilation on their side of the duck house. It’s a bit hard to explain but essentially I converted a greenhouse to be their duck house / coop. It‘s currently sectioned off in 3 groups, the runner ducks being on the most right side.
Their vents were closed off as raccoons were getting in from that spot, but that was way back in the summer (2022 I think) before I had anyone in full time so I forgot about it now that they’re out here.
(First winter being outside & first year being full time in general)
-10 c is about 14 F , and where I am it can get to -40 even. My dehumidifier just arrived so I’ll be putting that in their side as well while I figure out how to make a new vent space. They do have a front and back window that are currently closed, but they don’t yet have hardware cloth.
I’ve ordered an ointment / vetericyn on prime so hoping it gets here fast, otherwise I’ve been using aloe Vera after epsom soaks because it apparently helps with frost bite? (Just in case that’s what it is)
Just as I noticed their feet I’ve been removing their food and water at night, I wasn’t sure if they’d find random stuff to eat at night if they didn’t have water but that is more risky. But yeah, they did have it nightly until now so I can see that’s apart of it.
(By finding stuff, they would pick at the styrofoam insulation in spots I didn’t have it covered lol but I‘m certain I’ve got all or most spots covered now).
As for their bedding, it’s all just straw. It gets a bit sharp / hard when it gets chillier outside so I’m thinking that might have irritated their feet as well.
Lately the blend may have things like foxtail which I guess can also cut / poke their feet. And with all the added humidity / water it just all became a huge thing.
The reason I feed them inside is because their run isn’t winter proofed, so I can’t have them eat / drink outside at the moment. I clean the straw every other day but I got sick myself recently, so I let it slip for a bit and was just spot cleaning. Clearly that was a bad move but I’m going to clean every day for their side until I can get different feeding / watering buckets. They're just rubber dishes basically so I‘m going to try the buckets where they can only get their mouths / heads in. Hopefully this will stop that splashing around.
For now, the 3 of them are inside while I treat them until I get more medicine / ointments. The other 4 are looking good and can stay outside, with an epsom soak here and there.
Sorry for the massive text!
I hope you can get everything sorted out well and ducks feet heal up nicely Let us know how it goes!