Freezing temps n water

Good question. Ducks in the wild have to deal with frozen water, so they are obviously able to take the cold, however as most species are migratory this wouldn't be a permanent situation either. I'm interested to see what people say.

 

I take away my ducks kiddie pool and stop filling their stock tank when the weather gets to freezing temps. The weather in my area fluctuates; for instance the high for Friday is 55 and the high for Saturday is 8. On warmer days I fill a concrete mixing tub. Because it is short and fits in the space by my faucet I don't have to keep a hose connected through winter. I have a heated bucket and dog bowl for their drinking/head ducking water. That way they always have water to drink.

Humidity (as in wet duck in the coop) combined with freezing temperatures increases the chances of frostbite.

 

My ducks drink from the pools, so what I do when it gets below freezing is break a small hole by the edge of the pool so they can drink, but not swim. My reasoning is if its warm enough to melt the ice, then it's warm enough to swim. I wouldn't let my duck swim if it's below freezing, because the risk of frostbite

 

I never have the pool filled unless it is 0 or warmer......Or if the sun is shining and heating up the area the pool is at.......I provide stock dishes for them to drink from....Always someone standing ankle deep and oiling up..........Silly Ducks....
Anyways...Ducks do not need to bath all the time.......



Cheers!