How cold is too cold to ducks?

[tingupinguu]

The temperatures are supposed to go down by about 19 degrees tomorrow, I would like to know how cold is too cold to ducks.

 

[Yardmom]

Ducks do pretty well in the cold. My ducks would consider that great swimming weather. (The windmill keeps the water open.)

 

[Isadora]

With a proper wind break and dry coop conditions, ducks are extremely hardy. I wouldn't be worried about that temperature at all.

 

[telandra2]

Mine still bathe at 15f, though they do spend a lot if time tucking in their feet. At 20 they run around like normal. 19 shouldn't be a problem -- just be sure they have a windbreak.

It's going to hit a 20 year low of -20 tomorrow with windchill. I locked my birds in the coop in case that is too cold.

 

[loofa]

I came here with the same question. Are you in Portland area by any chance? we have the exact same temperature prediction for tomorrow.

 

[lost-duckling]

my Muscovys handled 6 okay with no heated shelters just wind breaks and cars. yours will be fine

 

[JenLedger]

Following it’s supposed to be -20 or less for 2 days here. We have a small coop and I was a little worried about wet bedding and such if I didn’t let them out at all.

 

[Callender Girl]

I let my ducks and geese make their own decisions about going out in bad weather. I open their shelters, so they can figure it out on their own.

Yesterday, while we were under all kinds of winter weather advisories and wind chill warnings, my runner ducks and American Buff geese chose lying on the ground, feet tucked under, while snow piled up on top of them.

Every three hours or so, I bundled up and took out fresh water -- which they slurped down immediately.

It's always hard for me to resist the urge to gather them up and make them all go inside -- which is where I would be if I didn't have to keep checking on them!

 

[Spotgieter]

I'm here for this same reason. I live in south Georgia and we're not accustomed to these temperatures. It will be sunny tomorrow with wind chill advisories and temperatures at 18. But Saturday, cloudy, still an advisory with temps beginning at 5°. We are struggling with what to do to keep the ducks safe. Like, when do you decide to put them back in their house?

 

[Callender Girl]

Mine go back in their house when I do outdoor chores in the evening. I also have sheep and goats, geese and chickens.

I yell, "Duck duck, house, house" and they all trade freedom for dinner and a warmer night in their shelter.