Messy ducks

[Chicken Champ]

 

[jmoschner]

It does get a little cold around here in the winter.

Healthy adult ducks can do fine in sub-freezing weather. Just make sure they have adequate drinking water and food. You may want to add feed with a slightly higher fat content or energy density to help them through the cold. If you are supplying their water, make sure it doesn't freeze.
Provide some shelter, at least a wind break.
When the weather drops to about 20F, keep an eye out for frostbite, mostly on the feet and around the eyes.
Ducks will often stay in large bodies of water when it gets at or below freezing. Their body heat plus movement can help keep ice from forming in an area of a lake or pond if there are enough ducks and enough water. Water typically won't go below freezing, so it can sometimes be warmer for them in the water than out in the frigid air.
Because of the layout of the arteries and veins in their legs and feet, the warm blood heats the cold blood before it returns to their heart, allowing them to better handle the cold. Their feathers are also very good insulation and keep them nice and warm.

Fun fact: Not all wild ducks migrate in winter. If there is adequate food, ducks will often stay in an area year round.

 

[Chicken Champ]

Thanks!