Keeping Your Flock Cozy
Waterfowl generally do well in winter, but a few simple steps can help your flock stay more comfortable during the colder months:
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Prevent frozen water: Ducks need fresh, unfrozen water all winter. Consider using a heated waterer or insulating your buckets to keep water from freezing. If you don’t have electricity outdoors, simply adding a few floating balls can help keep ice from forming too quickly. In very cold climates, it's okay to remove feed and water from their coop overnight to reduce wetness, just be sure to provide fresh water again first thing in the morning.
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Extra bedding: Keep your coops cozy by adding plenty of bedding. A thick layer of straw, hemp, or wood shavings provides insulation from cold floors and gives your ducks a warm, dry place to rest. Clean bedding regularly to prevent moisture buildup!
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Shelter from drafts: Make sure your coop and run are protected from wind and drafts. While ducks love the outdoors, a drafty shelter can cause stress and make them more susceptible to illness. To winterize, seal cracks and add windbreaks (like tarps, plywood panels, or straw bales) with ventilation high on the walls to allow moisture to escape without chilling your flock.
Holiday Decor, Farm-Friendly
Bring the joy of the season to your flock safely:
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Use natural decorations like pine boughs, straw, hay, or untreated corn stalks. Ducks love exploring these textures, pecking at them, and foraging for fun.
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Avoid plastic ornaments, tinsel, or anything small that could be swallowed...they’re not flock-friendly!
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Offer winter enrichment: scatter a few pinecones or hidden treats in the bedding for your ducks to investigate. It keeps them active and happy even on the coldest days!
Pro Tip: A little winter enrichment not only keeps your flock physically active but also helps reduce boredom and stress during the shorter, colder days.
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Get ready for the most charming DIY project of the season! Each kit comes with six beautifully blown goose eggs straight from our farm, plus a full paint set, six brushes, and ornament strings so you can turn each egg into a one-of-a-kind holiday treasure. It’s cozy, creative, and perfect for kids, crafters, and anyone who loves a little farmhouse magic. Limited quantity, so grab your kit before they're gone!
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Looking for inspiration before you start painting? Take a peek at these sample creations. They’re a fun glimpse into what you can dream up with a little paint, a brush, and a blown goose egg.
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The holidays are here, and it’s the perfect time to spread some poultry cheer! Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned flock keeper, a newbie duck parent, or just someone who loves all things feathered, we have gifts that will make them quack with delight.
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Click on the photos or visit our website at the link below to browse for the perfect gift!
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As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead to spring! If you’ve been dreaming of waddling new arrivals or adding fresh faces to your flock, now is the time to plan for 2026!
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Check Breed Availability: Take a look at our available breeds early to reserve the perfect ducklings or goslings for your flock. Popular breeds fill up fast, so early planning ensures you get exactly what you want.
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Prepare Your Brood: Start thinking about housing, brooder setups, and feeding plans. Getting everything ready now makes spring hatchling season smooth and stress-free.
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Set Goals for Your Flock: Whether you want more egg layers, a larger flock, or simply more feathered friends, now is the time to plan your flock’s next chapter.
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Stay Ahead of the Rush: Early planning means you’ll be ready when the first hatchlings arrive, giving you a head start on springtime fun and farm life.
A Feather-Filled New Year Awaits!
2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Metzer Farms community. By reserving your hatchlings and prepping your flock now, you’ll be ready to welcome a new season full of waddles, quacks, and unforgettable farm memories.
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We’re thrilled to be offering the Golden Cascade (as mentioned in Coffee with the Chicken Ladies latest podcast episode)! Our breeding stock came directly from Dave and Millie Holderread, the original developers of the breed. We are honored that the Holderreads reached out to us to continue their breeding efforts and help increase the availability of this exceptional duck throughout the U.S.
Developed in Oregon in the late 1970s, the Golden Cascade was created as a multi-purpose duck with high egg production, efficient meat yield, a calm temperament, and unique coloring that made gender identification easier in ducklings. The breed was officially introduced in 1984 and quickly became known for its productivity and hardiness.
Golden Cascade ducklings are beautifully patterned in warm fawn-buff and brown tones with golden highlights. Adult males have a chestnut chest, cream or tan underbody, and a brownish head with a soft green sheen. Females are fawn or buff with delicate brown penciling and a noticeable facial stripe. Both sexes feature a satin-green or brown wing speculum that glimmers in the light.
Today’s Golden Cascades remain exceptionally hardy, productive ducks, often laying between 165-240 eggs per year. We’re proud to carry on the Holderreads’ work in preserving and improving this remarkable breed, a true gem for anyone looking for a friendly, efficient, and striking addition to their flock!
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Share Your Winter Flock Photos!
We absolutely love seeing your flocks enjoying the winter season! Whether your ducks are waddling through freshly fallen snow, snuggling under warm bedding, exploring festive decorations, or even trying on tiny holiday hats, your photos bring joy not only to us at Metzer Farms but to the entire waterfowl community.
Get Featured in Our Newsletter:
Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your best winter flock snapshots for a chance to be highlighted in our January newsletter. We’ll showcase our favorite photos and share the stories behind them, because nothing warms our hearts more than seeing your flock thriving and having fun during the colder months!
Ways to Join the Fun:
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Festive Flock Photos: Get creative! Holiday-themed props, cozy blankets, or even a little sparkle on the coop make for perfect winter shots.
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Winter Adventures: Share stories about how your flock is enjoying winter. Do they love chasing snowflakes, foraging under frosty trees, or cozying up together at dusk?
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Tips and Tricks: Swap your best winter care tips with other waterfowl enthusiasts and help the community keep their flocks happy and healthy.
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Family Fun: Kids, friends, and family members taking care of or enjoying the flock? We love seeing the human side of farm life too!
Your photos and stories are more than just cute - they inspire, educate, and connect our community. By sharing your winter flock moments, you help build a space where waterfowl lovers can celebrate the joys (and occasional chaos!) of raising ducks and geese together.
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Warm up this winter with our printable coloring pages! Featuring ducks, geese, and more from Metzer Farms, they’re a perfect way to relax, get creative, and enjoy some feathered fun. Just click on the photo you want to download and print!
Share your art with us on social media or email us at piper@metzerfarms.com!
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BUFF DUCKLINGS
Unsexed $13.22 each
Male $10.41 each
Female $18.19 each
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RUNNER DUCKLINGS
Unsexed $14.02 each
Male $10.98 each
Female $19.41 each
Available in 4 different colors!
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