Most Cold Hardy Breed?

[NorthernChick1]

I currently have two muscovies that were raised with and share a coop with the chickens. I am looking to convert my insulated doghouse into a duck house. I was planning on putting my scovies in there but i figured its an opportunity to get 2-3 more ducks and leave my muscovies in with the chickens since they do fine with them. Last winter i learnt a lot and learned by my mistakes when my scovies got frostbitten feet. Now i know how hardy they are and i will have a way better set up this year.

Now I am wondering if anyone knows of the toughest breed, or comparable to muscovies at least?
My winters are -25C to -35C december till march.

I was looking at runners mostly. But open to anything that is available in ontario canada.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I'm not so sure that runners would be a good idea. @Jpat has been looking for some for a couple of years and he can't find any which makes me wonder if they are scarce in Canada because of the cold?

They are not a heavy breed of duck at all, so maybe it might be better to get something more on the hefty size?

 

[NorthernChick1]

I'm not so sure that runners would be a good idea. @Jpat has been looking for some for a couple of years and he can't find any which makes me wonder if they are scarce in Canada because of the cold?

They are not a heavy breed of duck at all, so maybe it might be better to get something more on the hefty size?

Runners are quite common around here. Many hobby farmers in the surrounding communities have Runners. But this is why i made this post, to see what other options might be better.

 

[PirateGirl]

runners are not cold hardy... they were my top choice duck, but I live in a cold environment and have decided not to get them as they are not a good choice for the cold... heavier bodied breeds tolerate cold better

 

[chickens really]

Any breeds can survive Canadian winters ..How You house them definitely plays into the success of having certain breeds. I run heat here in Alberta and only when temps are extremely cold. Wind and snow is not a factor in my pens. Covered Runs and houses. Straw bedding also.

 

[NorthernChick1]

See that`s odd, there are so many farms around here that have runners.
Can anyone give me ideas of ideal hardy breeds?

 

[NorthernChick1]

Also, im making the house on skis so they will be staying in their duck house in the garage during the winter. (Unheated to completely draft free)

 

[PirateGirl]

I have Swedish and KCs and they both do far better than my chickens in the cold weather, however, like your ducks, some of them have gotten a bit of frostbite on their feet. I generally find them all hunkered down in the snow outside in the bad weather and usually have to convince them to go in their house at night.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runners actually taught my Muscovy ducks it’s fine to go inside in winter. Before we got our Runners the scovys would just hunker down under or behind things to get out of the frigid wind but since the Runners first winter of 2016 they go in and lay in the shaving some during the day. Always give your Runners a way to get out of the weather and Muscovy too.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Pekins might do better in the cold,
Just dye them green that way you don’t lose em in the snow