ducks in the winter. how cold is too cold.

[PeggiB]

What breed are your ducks? Pekins can tolerate -20F.. Other breeds not so much. I would definitely, at the very least, insulate your shelter and provide a LOT of straw.

 

[Daphne_loves_mealworms]

I have a Rouen hen and two Muscovy hens that live in an unheated barn when not outside. The temperatures got down to -18 degrees F (-28 degrees C) several times, not counting the wind chill + a lot of days that were close to, but not quite that cold.

All ducks made it through ok with deep bedding (straw or hay and wood shavings), although I think that my Rouen was less miserable. My smallest bird, a tiny Muscovy hen, would love to live in a warmer climate. She spent a lot of the winter shivering. My other Muscovy hen seemed to have some soreness from an old leg injury on the coldest days. My Rouen perfected the art of becoming a “duck boat”, tucking her legs up under her wings. She also maintained her waterproofing better than the Muscovy hens, who occasionally turned themselves into sad little ice cubes after ill-advised swims.

Long story short, I highly recommend Rouens for cold weather, although Muscovy ducks are tough too!