We use the Deep Litter Method for cleaning our coop. The idea is to keep adding bedding and just stirring it up weekly to keep the coop clean. There really is very little smell and the birds seem just fine. Normally you would keep the bedding in the coop until spring, but our ducks have made a water mess of the place and when the temperature goes below freezing, the bedding becomes ice. We took advantage of the nice weather and decided to clean out the wet bedding and start new. Chuck set up the waterer so dumping water onto the bedding would not be as easy. I will post a photo of this soon.

The objective is to get it from the coop to the garden.

We transport with a sled, which makes it pretty easy.

The combination of bedding, chicken and duck poop should make some nice compost for this spring’s garden.

The horses keep watching me walk back and forth from the coop to the garden. After reading more about putting this in the garden as compost, I realize I may have to compost it further. Some of the bedding was ready for the garden, but the top layers need a little help. I think I will set up a compost area by the garden and add other materials to help break it down.

Winter has been hard on the ducks and chickens. They miss their days of foraging in the yard and now settle for visits from humans to bring them food. The ducks really miss their swimming pool.

Chuck fills a small black dish with water and on days when they dare go outside, they try to bath in this little dish.

It gets pretty crowded in the dish. One time all three birds made it inside.

Another activity of theirs is to dig down into the snow. I’m not sure what they find down there, but when they come up it looks like their bills are covered in frosting.

The chickens don’t have the same need for water that ducks have. They are happy to stay inside this winter.

They are happy both upstairs and down, pecking at the grain provided.

But I sure do look forward to they days when they can run around outside.

I am happy to report, all ducks are home.

I opened the door for the squawking ducks and clucking chickens. I was curious about their reaction to this weather.

The ducks immediately went trudging through the heavy snow.

And one chicken decided to take her chances.

She didn’t get very far—made it about 20 feet. I’m not sure if her legs are still on the ground. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for her.

I picked her up and pulled off the snowballs  stuck on her feathers and brought her back inside. I wish the ducks would come back inside. The winds are starting to pick up. I will have to go find them at noon and chase them home.

It was a pretty day, although a bit cold. The ducks are enjoying the sun, but they sure do miss their swimming pool.

The chickens spend some of the colder moments tucked into the bales of hay.

I wonder what they are going to think of the first major snowfall? I hear one may be coming this week.

November 14th, a record-breaking egg-laying day—13 eggs. Three duck and 10 chicken. Our max is probably 15 eggs total, so we’re getting close.

The chickens (and ducks) now have a windblock in front of their little chicken door. This place is looking better and better every day.

Today was a record-breaking, egg-laying day—seven chicken and three duck. The black one and the two large gray ones on the right are the duck eggs. We have one green and six brown. Way to go chickens! We’re very proud and thankful.

It was a beautiful sunny day for all animals to enjoy. The ducks favorite thing in the world is a fresh pool of water.

Unfortunately they are weary of me and my camera.

I’m really just trying to get a good picture of their colored feathers. They look beautiful in the light.

Here is a day’s worth of eggs — three duck and three chicken. Yes, our ducks are amazing producers. They also lay amazing eggs that are perfect for poaching. The duck egg has a thicker white and yolk, which holds together well during poaching.

What a beautiful egg.

Yum.