Help Duck covered in ice!

[Yooperducker]

We had a warm spell after many sub zero days and the temps climbed to 20 then 30 then 35 degrees so I filled the kiddy pool for the girls to get cleaned up in. It had been a month since their last bath. They were very very happy to be clean again.

So today I left for work and it was 36 degrees at 10. I run home at 4:30 to lock them in their house. My Pekin was in the pool alone and had been for some time. THe temps are now 19 degrees and it started to snow quite a bit. She was completely COATED in ice. Unsure why she could not get herself out. The pool was just starting icing up but she was not frozen to it.

I put her in the loft of their house which is filled with straw and put the other five girls in with her and closed the door that leads to their lower level where the food and water is. Usually they have 24 hour acess to that level and food. The thought was it was nice and dry and the six together would create more heat to help warm her up. I grabbed her and held her close and she was not shivering. So I am not sure if she was cold or pissed or both. What should I do. She had ice on her head to tail.

 

[Welshies]

You need to bring her inside or she'll get frostbite, and probably severely. Bring her inside a garage or house and let her dry off.

 

[Welshies]

There's also a risk for hypothermia, especially if she wasn't shivering, so you should treat her for shock as well by providing electrolyte water or sugar water.

 

[Yooperducker]

There's also a risk for hypothermia, especially if she wasn't shivering, so you should treat her for shock as well by providing electrolyte water or sugar water.

I just ran back home real quick to check on her and let them all out of their loft. I made a warm mash for them. She was second out when I opened the door and went to the food.
I do not have a garage. Their coop is draft free and has snow packed all around the base, so pretty well insulated considering. They also have a raised fully enclosed upper level inside the coop with a deep litter of straw.

I have heard bringing birds in from one weather extreme to another can be dangerous to them. Is that possible?

 

[Yooperducker]

I have 45 minutes left until my shift is over. I am the only person here in the store so I have had to lock it up with a 'be right back' sign on the door. This last hour is the busiest so I cannot leave and there is not anyone who can cover for me here or know how to handle the ducks there. She is in a safe dry space with warm food and water right now.

 

[Yooperducker]

I also worry about getting her warm inside and having to place her outdoors again when the temp is expected to drop even more tonight.

 

[Welshies]

You should bring her inside. It won't be harmful. Move her back out tomorrow.
There's a high risk for hypothermia.

 

[Yooperducker]

You should bring her inside. It won't be harmful. Move her back out tomorrow.
There's a high risk for hypothermia.

Ok I will do that as soon as I get out of here. Unfortunately I cannot go now with out risking my job but I will be ready to jet out the door at 7 sharp. Thank you so much, these girls are very special to me and their care is important to me.

 

[JaeG]

She was possibly quite well insulated by her own down and then the layer of ice (crazy duck), and having had a good swim would've had the opportunity to preen herself and ensure her waterproofing was in order. If she was keen to eat then I'd say she'll be just fine. Just keep an eye on her and check that she's dry when you get a chance. If her waterproofing was in order the water and ice wouldn't have penetrated her feathers.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ducks-with-ice-on-feathers.439530/

 

[Yooperducker]

Her waterproofing was good. The water in the pool was fairly low (not floatable) from them splashing around and she was not sopping wet, just iced up since most of her was out of the water. She was still puffy but icy. No problem eating, as I am sure she was hungry not getting to food during that time.