HELP!! Domestic Ducks won't come off freezing pond

[BelovedBirds]

Freezing into ponds is extremely rare but no doubt happens; probably more often to wild ducks than domestic. I searched the site for instances of ducks frozen in ice and the only mention was of a duck who couldn't get out of a pond, either due to slippery steep sides or something called "wet feather". The pond didn't freeze but the duck was waterlogged and shivering.

There were plenty of people who related the delight their ducks found in open water patches on otherwise frozen ponds, though.

Predators are always a concern.

Becoming water logged, and in the cold, with wind chill, would be my biggest concern but of course getting frozen in ice is a possibility and risk too. The combination of cold temps, ice water, wind chill, and predation, is enough of a reason to try and get them sheltered imo.

@shantelm what happened in the end with your ducks? Are they all okay?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Someone did post once that they had a duck whose feet froze, but that was in extreme temps. I'd be more worried about predators, but I also wouldn't want to take any chances.

Be sure to update this thread, @shantelm

Having a source of water out for them to climb into in below freeing temps can be another way for them to get Frost bite if the water freezes around them. Some years back a member rescued a duck from a friend the duck had slept in a rubber tub all night and the water froze last we had heard from her was the ducks one foot had fallen off. She stopped posting after that.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Having a source of water out for them to climb into in below freeing temps can be another way for them to get Frost bite if the water freezes around them. Some years back a member rescued a duck from a friend the duck had slept in a rubber tub all night and the water froze last we had heard from her was the ducks one foot had fallen off. She stopped posting after that.

Mine would stay out too long and definitely get frozen in as the water ices over. They get so cold they can't walk, just sit on their feet to warm the up and get frozen feathers. I had to go out and get one on thin ice the other day, she would not get off the pond and her feet had ice on them. They get out of the pond and whatever water is on them freezes immediately. I brought her into the house and put her in a bathtub of cool water/colder than tepid water to warm her up.

Honestly, I think people who say their instincts will take over and make them come in don't have experience with small children. Mommy ducks TEACH ducklings to behave in safe ways, just like human mommies tell you to put on a hat (and mittens) for YEARS before kids learn. Have you never heard of a kid getting frostbite? Don't we blame the parents when that happens?

I am the mommy duck to my stubborn babies who don't come in when they are cold and when it starts to get dark.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Mine would stay out too long and definitely get frozen in as the water ices over. They get so cold they can't walk, just sit on their feet to warm the up and get frozen feathers. I had to go out and get one on thin ice the other day, she would not get off the pond and her feet had ice on them. They get out of the pond and whatever water is on them freezes immediately. I brought her into the house and put her in a bathtub of cool water/colder than tepid water to warm her up.

Honestly, I think people who say their instincts will take over and make them come in don't have experience with small children. Mommy ducks TEACH ducklings to behave in safe ways, just like human mommies tell you to put on a hat (and mittens) for YEARS before kids learn. Have you never heard of a kid getting frostbite? Don't we blame the parents when that happens?

I am the mommy duck to my stubborn babies who don't come in when they are cold and when it starts to get dark.

Five of mine were raised by me so they did not have a Mommy duck to teach them anything. With your temperatures being so cold I could see how easy it would be for them to get into trouble with icing on their feet. It will be 2 below 0 here in the next couple of days but ours should still be fine. It will warm up to 5 degrees during the daytime and their unheated bowls will be froze over and the electric ones will still be uniced. Good luck with yours this winter. We are heading into a storm and mine will know what to do during the ice and snow. I am fortunate to live where I do.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Five of mine were raised by me so they did not have a Mommy duck to teach them anything. With your temperatures being so cold I could see how easy it would be for them to get into trouble with icing on their feet. It will be 2 below 0 here in the next couple of days but ours should still be fine. It will warm up to 5 degrees during the daytime and their unheated bowls will be froze over and the electric ones will still be uniced. Good luck with yours this winter. We are heading into a storm and mine will know what to do during the ice and snow. I am fortunate to live where I do.

I am already at -12 at the warmest part of the day...

Just to be clear... Your ducks DID have a wonderful mommy. YOU were there! Food, cuddles, safe from predators... That is a duck momma!

 

[Luv Ducks]

I am already at -12 at the warmest part of the day...

Just to be clear... Your ducks DID have a wonderful mommy. YOU were there! Food, cuddles, safe from predators... That is a duck momma!

Thank you for the kind words. I do love my Ducks and have hatched them out by light bulbs in my living room before. I am sure that you love yours too. It is something a lot of people don't understand but that is only because they don't have ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine had their last bath in the cement mixing tub today until later on into next week when we'll go from -3 tomorrow[not including wind chill] morning to a low of 47 a week from now. This is crazy weather.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Mine had their last bath in the cement mixing tub today until later on into next week when we'll go from -3 tomorrow[not including wind chill] morning to a low of 47 a week from now. This is crazy weather.

Our temperatures are about the same as yours my friend. It is for sure crazy weather. I hope that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and everyone stays safe.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours @Luv Ducks.

 

[Luv Ducks]

We got our storm as they had predicted. Ice with snow and high blowing winds. I have not been out to the ducks yet but pray all is well as it is -2 degrees F outside. I pray everyone on here stays safe this holiday season and has a very Merry Christmas.