First duck winter

[Klatimer]

How do you know ducks are cold? It’s 29° with wind and intermittent snow. I have the coop winterized.. I have 3 sides covered. They were taking their nap and bill looked like he was shivering. But I’m not sure…

 

[sourland]

Ducks handle the cold very well as long as they can get out of the wind. Their down keeps them warm, and they actually pull their feet up into the feathers when resting.

 

[Jenbirdee]

when i worry about my ducks being cold i remember some people in places like vermont or canada have ducks and they are fine as long as they’re out of the wind like @sourland said. also i give them extra deep straw to bury themselves into it if they want to.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I don’t worry about the cold until it gets into subzero temperatures. Ducks are actually biologically built to handle the cold. They not only have a permanent down coat, but they also have counter circulation heat exchange it their legs. Their veins are intertwined to minimize heat loss allowing them to be able to walk on ice and snow without their feet getting cold.

 

[Klatimer]

when i worry about my ducks being cold i remember some people in places like vermont or canada have ducks and they are fine as long as they’re out of the wind like @sourland said. also i give them extra deep straw to bury themselves into it if they want to.

I know I having a tough time with that.. I added more plastic on the lower parts of the run so they aren’t getting blasted with the freezing air

 

[Klatimer]

I don’t worry about the cold until it gets into subzero temperatures. Ducks are actually biologically built to handle the cold. They not only have a permanent down coat, but they also have counter circulation heat exchange it their legs. Their veins are intertwined to minimize heat loss allowing them to be able to walk on ice and snow without their feet getting cold.
View attachment 3998454

As a nurse this picture makes so much more sense now

 

[Jenbirdee]

I don’t worry about the cold until it gets into subzero temperatures. Ducks are actually biologically built to handle the cold. They not only have a permanent down coat, but they also have counter circulation heat exchange it their legs. Their veins are intertwined to minimize heat loss allowing them to be able to walk on ice and snow without their feet getting cold.
View attachment 3998454

subzero F or subzero C ?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

subzero F or subzero C ?

Fahrenheit

 

[Snaxslife]

How do you know ducks are cold? It’s 29° with wind and intermittent snow. I have the coop winterized.. I have 3 sides covered. They were taking their nap and bill looked like he was shivering. But I’m not sure…

Ducks actually have a higher body temperature than chickens so they withstand the winter very well as Long as they have good bedding.

 

[Klatimer]

Ducks actually have a higher body temperature than chickens so they withstand the winter very well as Long as they have good bedding.

What type of bedding do you use? I use straw and shavings…