Are ducks smart enough to get out of the cold?

[Amiga]

No, but I just keep thinking about how liquid water is near 30F (I know, it's colder if it's not pure water, but not by that much, maybe), so even 25F is warmer than the 15F we have here right now, so I can see the attraction. And a few ice drops on their feathers, if they are in good condition, may not bother them so much.

 

[duckcrazy]

I looked this up in "Domestic Duck Production, Science and Practice." It is very technical and often hard for me to understand, but I believe what they are saying about natural ventilation when in an enclosure 'Heat from birds and fermenting litter increases air temperature, reduces air pressure and increases air buoyancy.' So what I believe they are saying is ducks in a protected situation with layers of litter over there droppings are able to stay warmer in colder weather then just being out in it.

It also stated: 'Mature ACCLIMATIZED ducks exposed to dry bulb temperatures below about -8C (about 20 degrees?) for sustained periods are unable to produce sufficient heat to maintain their body temperature and gradually become hypothermic and die. ' Book does not qualify 'sustained periods.'

It got 17 Degrees overnight here in Oregon (warming to 30-35 during the day) for about 2 week. My ducks appeared to handle it fine. They are housed in large chain-link dog pens with plastic sheeting around to break any wind. They have layers of straw and a small dog house in each pen which should hold in more heat. If it ever got below 17 degrees, I'd now move them to the barn. I have no electric this far out, so using a heating lamp is not an option.

My sister told me to go to the river and see if there were any frozen or dead ducks around, then I'd know they should be move to the barn--I know she is kidding. OK, I did it anyway, and there were no dead ducks, just quacking happy ducks.

I hope this helps.

 

[Speceider]

That section is poorly written. ..lower critical temp refers to when they cannot maintainbody temp without increasing metabolism (thermal neutral zone). Lower lethal is when they cannot generate enough metabolic heat to maintain body temp. For mallard derivatives in good condition and feather, I wouldn't worry until a week of sub teens.

Clint

 

[duckcrazy]

Thanks for clarifying the sustained period.

 

[Jerrica1986]

KaLo, glad your duckies are safe and sound.
My ducks somewhat resembled ducksicles, lol, but they were active and alert and seemed fine. Temperature was -9 or so, but at the farthest point the ducks could get from their lamp it was around 5 above. They actually willingly went inside their house for the first time too!

My ducks sleep with goats and chickens in a open run, escape when you need or want barn....they have about 4 shelters like dog houses and chicken coops and a barn has 2 heat lamps and one of the cages have a heat lamp. Pretty neat set up! I hope my goats are safe. I understand your ducksicles too they did that last year, they get covered in ice , it's so crazy.

 

[Jenbirdee]

We are looking at record lows tonight in North FL of 19 degrees. I know you guys in the north will think that is not so bad but we aren't very prepared for that kind of weather here.

My duck house has a raised screened area with a shallow pool in it and an enclosed area with bedding straw. My 2 Swedes demand water in the pool every night and won't go in until it's filled. They usually sleep in the pool and all but ignore the covered area. Tonight I put their brooder lamp in the covered area to make sure they could get warmth if they needed it. as expected - they are not "thrilled" with the change.

As of 8 pm tonight -- they are both tucking their heads in the pool. So my question -- will they go in to the covered area if they really need to or should I force them into the covered area and put a barrier to keep them in? Should I take the light out so they might wander in to get out of the wind since they seem afraid of the light? Sorry - I am fairly new to this and just not sure how much cold a duck can take.

Thanks for any advice.

Nope, at least I don’t think so and I’ve had ducks 10 years in my climate temp range from 0 to 100. I’ve seen freezing rain days with wind create the ducksickles. That’s when I do force them all inside to my semi finished garage type Hospital room that I have for them. They’re in there right now actually. And they probably will be until Friday. I try to keep it cool in there so they don’t get used to it being warm. But at least it’s warm enough that the water doesn’t freeze and neither do they.