Ducks and the cold

[docdubz]

So its about 3 degrees with the wind chill here in Texas and it's been a long time since I lived up North so I'm not used to this sort of weather. My ducks are free ranging because they were jerks when I had them enclosed. I set up some shelter for them and they refuse to use it. They are very obviously cold, but instead of seeking shelter they are huddling up in the middle of my dirt road with no protection from the wind or snow. Is it just duck dumbness or are they not as bothered by the cold as they seem to be right now.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Test.... I just posted on this thread and it disappeared

 

[TJAnonymous]

Trying again. I'm having the same problem with my ducks. I'm worried they will freeze to death. My husband gave up his Saturday to build them an additional shelter so they could get out of the wind and snow. They refuse to use it or their coop. Instead they are huddled along the chainlink fence that separates their pen from my back yard. I am certain they are cold but won't use the shelter....

This is the new shelter.

 

[Texag87]

Don’t worry too much about them. Both my old and young flock went swimming after I broke the ice in their kiddy pools.

 

[docdubz]

I'm not exactly worried about them, they are complete freeloaders. But still I'm not gonna leave an animal to freeze if I can prevent it. I even tried baiting their shelter with a warm bowl of peas and they still won't go near it so it is what it is.

 

[Texag87]

Maybe your ducks are crazy. Mine would run over a raccoon for peas.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I'm not exactly worried about them, they are complete freeloaders. But still I'm not gonna leave an animal to freeze if I can prevent it. I even tried baiting their shelter with a warm bowl of peas and they still won't go near it so it is what it is.

My ducks must be related to yours... They won't touch peas unless I toss them in their pool. Can't really do that in this weather.

The only saving grace I have is that they will go into their coop for the night in an hour or so. That will give them some warmth until the morning.... Then I get to watch them freeze themselves all over again. Tomorrow it will be colder.

 

[SkyeT]

I am down here in San Antonio, so I feel your pain. Our 7 crazies were running around, taking baths as the temp kept dropping and ice was developing on the ground. The Scovies just sat together and watched the runners and Rouen run around. But, when our Rouen hen began to sit periodically, we knew it was time to do something.

We had already cleared out our storage shed floor in anticipation. There is a two inch layer of shavings and several inches of fresh coastal hay on the floor. We had to catch all 7, which was a circus. Thank goodness we live in town and have a backyard so not a ton of chasing. They were very disoriented, but our babies had super cold feet and icy feathers!

They will spend the next 36-48 hours in there, with some time out midday when the sun is out tomorrow.

 

[TJAnonymous]

So these dummies have finally decided to hunker down BETWEEN the new shelter and their coop. Still out in the snow but at least SOME of the wind will be blocked where they are sitting.

 

[docdubz]

As I was reading the replies to this thread a huge branch crashed down on my workshop. I haven't checked out the damage but it didn't sound good. I have no idea where my ducks are all I know is they aren't anywhere that would provide them shelter. The weather websites say it's 11* but my porch thermometer says it's -2*. Not much I can do for them I'm gonna try to find them while I'm smoking my cigarette but this weather is deadly cold and I couldn't find any cold weather clothes for sale at the stores.