How do ducks handle cold?

[thecochincoop]

I had call and black east indian ducks ouside in below 0 weather. they refused to go in any kind of cover and did just fine

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Mine have never seen the inside of my house........when there's snow on the ground I do spread some straw in the pen for them, but some of them seem to prefer sitting on the snow. I've never lost one during the winter.

 

[Amiga]

When they are outside, if it is above freezing, and the swim pan is liquid (about 40-50F), they like to jump in and play.

 

[Bananarose24]

Ours are Muscovies-5 of them, 3 female, 2 male (we think-one is not fully matured yet)
So, looks like they should be alright all winter then I suppose.

One more thing, should we try to get them in the dog igloo as it gets colder at night? Or just not really worry about it?
They go in it on occasion on their own, but, not a lot.

And we keep a nice layer of straw down for them regardless (my hubby puts it in the compost when it gets filthy).
Any other thoughts or concerns for ducks for winter? If so, would love to hear them.

We just adore these duckies--they all have names and we dont want anything to happen to them, especially after what they've already been through.
Thank you for the tips and ideas! It is much appreciated!

 

[10ducks]

I have my mid-weight ducks outside in an unheated coop; this is their second winter. We are in SE Michigan, so not the coldest part of the state, but it does get down to 20 degrees or so and stay there for a long time, with some dips into the negative numbers. The ducks have a heated water bucket. They have access to their coop--which is draft-free but not insulated--all the time, but they never go in there except at night. All day they are out on the ice or snow or frozen bare ground. (The floor in their coop has a thick layer of wood pellets in it, and is presumably quite a bit warmer than the ground.) They've been very healthy. They have even started to lay again this past week, having finished molting recently. I wouldn't worry about closing your ducks in the Igloo. They know it's there and will use it if they need it.

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Well my 2 Rouen Drakes (Elliot and Oliver) have seen temps down to -6 so far this winter. They have a duck hut loaded with dry leaves and straw, (no heat) but they sleep in either their pond or pool. I have given up trying to figure them out...they're crazy. The only time I have seen them in the duck hut, is to get out of the wind. Oh, they don't seem to mind the snow at all.







This is the "pond" with the new heater...best invention EVER! (before and after)




This is the ice that I took out of their pool. It froze SOLID! After a week of above freezing temps, it finally thawed enough to get the ice out. The chuncks were still over 6" thick! Once I got the ice out and got it filled, we put in 2 dozen in guppies for them. Thats why the pictures are a little blurry, they were going bonkers!






Don't worry yourselves sick...they are hearty little critters.

(sorry for all the pics...I'm just a proud Papa)

 

[Amiga]

Where the Wild Things Are,

Such good pics!!!

Lovely Rouens, too!

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Thank you

they can always bring a smile to my face.

 

[Bananarose24]

Great pictures!
I feel much more confident having them out there in the cold now after reading what everyone has posted.

Thank you for the reassurance

 

[MysticalMom]

It was 25 degrees here in Southern Maryland when I went to let the ducks out this morning. My ducks don't get water in their house, but I had to break the ice on all the pools this morning.. they didn't care... went right in. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.