Ducks struggling with the cold

[Kateespencer]

From the photograph, it seems your ducks think they should be house ducks!! Mine hang around my patio doors and two -- the ones that were hand raised from small ducklings -- are in like a shot if the doors are left ajar in error. They probably are being drama queens about the cold in the hopes that you give in and let them inside for the winter!! ;-)

[I know nothing about raising ducks in cold winters -- my ducks and I live in Florida. ]

Oh theses ducks would come in the house in a second if we left the door open long enough to throw their fat little bodies over the threshold and honestly I would probably let them if it wasn’t for my husband. He’s a fun sucker

 

[Crazy Maizie]

They definitely don’t like the wind. We leave the coop door open all day so they are free to get in and out as much as they want. I have 7 bales of hay in there coop. 3 making a u shape and the rest spread out around those bales. We feed them warm oatmeal at night to try and keep them warm through the night. I was wondering about a hot water bottle pack those rubber ones. I was thinking about filling a big one of the bottles and putting in the area between the bales so if they get cold they have that warm bottle to lay on if need be. What do think about something like that??

Straw provides more insulation. Hay is more of a feed when it comes to animals. Plus, with ducks due to moisture itt tends to mold quicker. But, the bales might be ok. I'd just keep an eye on them and check for mold especially since its inside the coop.
They really don't need the warm bottles of water.
What are your average temps? Ducks can do well in -25 degrees F sustained temps as long as they are provided with shelter from the wind. Lower than that and they would most likely choose their coop over being outside. If they are choosing to go out, then they are fine.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

We have all been there. I just do what I can to make them comfortable enough. It's up to them to utilize the accommodations. I put up straw bales for wind breaks only to see them sitting in the wide open area.

 

[Kateespencer]

It’s normal for them to lay down when they get cold. I would think if they got too cold they would get in their coop (unless they’re stubborn like mine). I’ve heard they can handle down to 20 degrees and I’ve heard they can handle -20 degrees. I’m not sure which is true lol. Mine wouldn’t let me put them in their coop earlier this year and stayed on the pond when it was -5 outside but they were okay.

I’ve heard a couple different temps too. And sometimes I wonder if they are talking about a specific breed like the bigger Muscovy ducks. My mallards are just little guys and it’s just the 2 of them so they don’t have a bunch of ducks that can snuggle together to stay warm.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

-What brand and %protein are you feeding?

-Does your coop have proper ventilation to allow the moisture to flow out and prevent their feet form getting frostbite?

-How deep is your bedding in your coop?

-Are your ducks outside or do you sometimes bring them inside your house?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only thing I'd be concerned about is leaving water out that they could sit in over night with temps you are talking about. We had member years back that had a mallard who sat in his rubber bowl overnight and he was froze in it the next morning. He had frost bite really bad and was losing his leg the last we heard from her.

 

[Brooke_R]

Ok, so I know I’ve read a ton of posts about how ducks do so well in the winter and we shouldn’t worry about them too much. We had our first super cold couple of days with a skiff of snow and my poor ducks really struggled. So I have 2 mallards one male and one female and they could barley walk in the snow. They could take a couple of steps and then laid down. It’s was about 14 degrees out with -2 windchill. I’m now very worried about them for the rest of winter. Thankfully we’ve had some pretty mild days but it’s only December and we usually get our big storms in the later months of winter. Can someone tell

It’s normal for them to lay down when they get cold. I would think if they got too cold they would get in their coop (unless they’re stubborn like mine). I’ve heard they can handle down to 20 degrees and I’ve heard they can handle -20 degrees. I’m not sure which is true lol. Mine wouldn’t let me put them in their coop earlier this year and stayed on the pond when it was -5 outside but they were okay.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I’ve heard a couple different temps too. And sometimes I wonder if they are talking about a specific breed like the bigger Muscovy ducks. My mallards are just little guys and it’s just the 2 of them so they don’t have a bunch of ducks that can snuggle together to stay warm.

Mallards are actually more hardy than muscovy. Muscovy are originally from South America where temps never get this low.

 

[Kateespencer]

Do you provide them with any straw? I clear snow and have straw paths. The ducks initially don't like the cold, but they will get used to it. Also, the laying down is their way of warming their feet.

Some good tips here: https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2013/12/cold-weather-tips-for-winter-duck-care.html

Yes we do and I apologize in another post I said bales of hay but it’s actually straw. When it has snowed we put straw down in the run for them so they aren’t standing on the snow when they are eating and drinking. This is our first winter with ducks and we actually acquired them from our neighbors who realized they bit off more than they could chew in getting the cute little boogers from the local farm store. This is all new to us as well I just want to make sure I’m doing the best I can for them so they are comfortable.

 

[Kateespencer]

Mallards are actually more hardy than muscovy. Muscovy are originally from South America where temps never get this low.

That’s good to know. I know they are much larger than my mallards. So sometimes I’m not real sure what breed they are referencing in the posts/articles I read.