Icey Cayugas

[Pela Phillips]

First winter with my 4 ducks and first couple of single digit days. They have icicles all over their feathers. They have all the shelter recommendations for type of duck/number of ducks.What should I do? Should I be freaking out? Title should be “Icy Cayugas” not “Icey”

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they shivering? Icicles mean they aren't losing body heat, otherwise they would melt. They should preen them off.

 

[gimmie birdies]

I don't have ducks currently, but when I did in the winter I didn't let them swim, I cannot remember what kind of waterer I had.

 

[Pela Phillips]

Are they shivering? Icicles mean they aren't losing body heat, otherwise they would melt. They should preen them off.

They don’t seem to be shivering, definitely staying low to the ground and fluffing out their feathers a lot. They are splashing, eating and snuggling as usual. Now that I know that they aren’t losing body heat, my concern is they don’t seem to be preening much. Thank you for your reply!

 

[Pela Phillips]

I don't have ducks currently, but when I did in the winter I didn't let them swim, I cannot remember what kind of waterer I had.

I’ve noticed that they get weird if they can’t at least sit in the water. I used to have a “head dunking” set up but they wouldn’t drink from it. Thanks for answering!

 

[gimmie birdies]

Ducks would be fun down south for sure, very cute when babies. I used to have a hard time putting them to bed at night.

 

[aart]

I’ve noticed that they get weird if they can’t at least sit in the water. I used to have a “head dunking” set up but they wouldn’t drink from it. Thanks for answering!

I bet if that's the only water they had access to, they'd use it eventually.
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[Pela Phillips]

I bet if that's the only water they had access to, they'd use it eventually.
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Thanks, I’m in SE Wisconsin. So it can be very cold.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They don’t seem to be shivering, definitely staying low to the ground and fluffing out their feathers a lot. They are splashing, eating and snuggling as usual. Now that I know that they aren’t losing body heat, my concern is they don’t seem to be preening much. Thank you for your reply!

They sound fine. Mine will take baths year round. Today they were crawling in the bucket to do it. The feathers are inert, so they probably don't feel any icicles on them. Ducks are pretty hardy. Many are still swimming in the rivers. I wouldn't worry. Always give them water deep enough to submerge their bills fully so their nostrils stay clear.

 

[Pela Phillips]

They sound fine. Mine will take baths year round. Today they were crawling in the bucket to do it. The feathers are inert, so they probably don't feel any icicles on them. Ducks are pretty hardy. Many are still swimming in the rivers. I wouldn't worry. Always give them water deep enough to submerge their bills fully so their nostrils stay clear.

Thank you! I think it just startled me at first. Especially against those black feathers, the white icicles made them look frozen! I do give them a tub that gets refilled morning and afternoon of water deep enough to submerge their heads. I’m always amazed that they still love frigid water. Looking forward to the days when their larger pool won’t freeze, it’s so much fun to watch them.