how cold is too cold?

[Going Quackers]

Mine rarely go into their coop on their own, no matter how cold it is. I have to herd them in at dark. It may be because I have a spring fed pond that never freezes and they would sit on the water all night if I let them.

If mallard derived likely yes, they do. My ducks do go into the barn on their own, now not all i have some stubborn ones but the Muscovy aren't too bad overall, even my buffs have learned too but they have been raised with scovies.

My calls would rather bob in the water but nah, they'd be bait for owls and other preds overnight so in they come!

 

[cymbaline]

Well it turns out my ducks are just ungrateful little chickens! They won't go anywhere NEAR the heat lamp.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well it turns out my ducks are just ungrateful little chickens! They won't go anywhere NEAR the heat lamp.

Ungrateful lil chickens those ducks are.

They don't need it as long as they are out of wind and elements. ever slept under a down comforter?

 

[cymbaline]

Ungrateful lil chickens those ducks are.

They don't need it as long as they are out of wind and elements. ever slept under a down comforter?

They won't go in the house I built them either, lol, so they aren't really out of the elements. I knew they were scared of flashlights, but I figured a red bulb that wasn't moving wouldn't be so terrifying. Boy was I wrong.
Really, I figure they will be fine tonight - the predicted low is 14. However, next week it will be at zero or below at night, and Tuesday the high is only 8. Yuck. So they really need to get over their fear by then.

 

[veronicasmom]

We are having insane cold here. My kids are doing pretty well. Actually I think they are doing better than I am! I normally don't worry about my animals when it is cold. They have heated water and more then enough food, and a place to get out of the elements. But the prolonged cold is starting to concern me. I am sure everyone will be ok. But tonight is nasty. Blowing snow and very very cold wind chills. I put extra straw on the floor of the shed, they have tons of food, water, and the doors are shut. Still..............wish I could bring everyone in the house. Wow, wouldn't that be fun with horses, goats, rabbits and ducks inside with the humans, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chinchilla and rats! LOL Summer where are you??????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Going Quackers]

We are having insane cold here. My kids are doing pretty well. Actually I think they are doing better than I am! I normally don't worry about my animals when it is cold. They have heated water and more then enough food, and a place to get out of the elements. But the prolonged cold is starting to concern me. I am sure everyone will be ok. But tonight is nasty. Blowing snow and very very cold wind chills. I put extra straw on the floor of the shed, they have tons of food, water, and the doors are shut. Still..............wish I could bring everyone in the house. Wow, wouldn't that be fun with horses, goats, rabbits and ducks inside with the humans, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chinchilla and rats! LOL Summer where are you??????????????????????????????????????????????

I've been worried today myself but all seems stable, i have made sure water has been open and plenty of feed, re-bedded and kept things as cozy as possible.. our front should be gone by Sat not soon enough thanks, the air actually hurts your skin.

 

[cymbaline]

wish I could bring everyone in the house. Wow, wouldn't that be fun with horses, goats, rabbits and ducks inside with the humans, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, chinchilla and rats! LOL Summer where are you??????????????????????????????????????????????

I've brought all 5 ducks in before. Lots of fun until you have to clean up the mess, haha. If they don't get under that d*mn heat lamp soon I guess I'm going to get that experience once again! It is SOOO cold outside, they all had snow and ice on them just now.

 

[veronicasmom]

GQ-it does hurt! It took forever to do the chores today, had to keep coming in to thaw out. My hands and feet were frozen. I am mildly claustrophobic so face masks are out for me. My face was so cold I could hardly talk. I know my animals are acclimated and they have everything I can give them, but gee, it makes me feel so bad when I am warm and snuggly in the house and they are all out there. The bunnies are snuggled up together and on their heated pad, so they are probably the best off, but I worry about my goat boys, they are getting older and I can see this winter is tough on them. And I feel bad for my 29 year old mare. She has two blankets on though and TONS of hay. The ducks stayed in the shed most of the day today, except for one muscovy. She stayed in the pool almost all day. Happily sitting out while snow was piling up on her back, she was the queen of the turtle pool. She's young and big, so I didn't worry too much about her. And she had the option to go in when she wanted. She was NOT happy to be locked in tonight though. LOL. Too bad for her.

 

[Going Quackers]

GQ-it does hurt! It took forever to do the chores today, had to keep coming in to thaw out. My hands and feet were frozen. I am mildly claustrophobic so face masks are out for me. My face was so cold I could hardly talk. I know my animals are acclimated and they have everything I can give them, but gee, it makes me feel so bad when I am warm and snuggly in the house and they are all out there. The bunnies are snuggled up together and on their heated pad, so they are probably the best off, but I worry about my goat boys, they are getting older and I can see this winter is tough on them. And I feel bad for my 29 year old mare. She has two blankets on though and TONS of hay. The ducks stayed in the shed most of the day today, except for one muscovy. She stayed in the pool almost all day. Happily sitting out while snow was piling up on her back, she was the queen of the turtle pool. She's young and big, so I didn't worry too much about her. And she had the option to go in when she wanted. She was NOT happy to be locked in tonight though. LOL. Too bad for her.

Yes, the hands are the worst, you cannot function without them so they have to be able to move, so many latches, knobs etc.. our horses are well suited to the extreme cold, they become yaks and the sheep are of coarse wool.

Watch that scovie! i had one ice up the other day and had to literately thaw her, they just don't have the developed oil gland that mallard derived do.

 

[veronicasmom]

I checked her and tried to shoo her back in the shed, but she would come right back out. She is the more stubborn of the two sisters. Have to go out again in a few minutes, will see what she is up to today. I am assuming she realized that the water is warmer than anywhere else with the heater in it and decided that she liked it.