Seriously, how cold is too cold?

[onaharley]

Hi there!

I am just wondering how cold is too cold for ducks? I have been trying to find a common degree in all these posts I have been reading but.... well you know, one can get lost in a sea of information on here! I live in SE Michigan and tonights low is 13F but feels like 3F outside. At what temperature should I be concerned? My ducks are locked in a pen with lots of straw on the ground, they also have plastic wrapped around the pen with vents going all the way around the top.

They free range (well every other day they switch out as to who gets to free range) all day. At what temperature do I keep them both locked up....in either their pen, in my not insulated shed or worse case in the garage?

Looking for numbers here, so I can gage when I need to take action. I'm new to ducks and just want to be armed when I absolutely have to kick into action.

Greatly appreciated, new duck mom!

 

[Bridger Davis]

First of all, grammar mistake in your title... You mean" How cold is too cold". I would say about -15 F would be the degree that you would need to provide heat. But I've heard of people that do just what you're doing at -20! I'll get you a better answer from someone colder tho... @chickens really

 

[onaharley]

First of all, grammar mistake in your title... You mean" How cold is too cold". I would say about -15 F would be the degree that you would need to provide heat. But I've heard of people that do just what you're doing at -20! I'll get you a better answer from someone colder tho... @chickens really

Ha!! I originally had "too" in my title.....but second guess myself and changed it to "to"!!! Often times when you second guess......you can get into trouble

 

[chickens really]

Hello....After -10C I lock my Ducks in their Heated Shed...I have Call Ducks..They still get outside everyday..My Pen during the day is also covered and wrapped in plastic with a Dog house with straw also a bed of straw for them to lay on..

 

[onaharley]

Thanks! So -10c is equivalent to 14f....so I guess I’m doing the right thing

 

[Ducktown]

My ducks started showing signs that they were getting cold around -10°C. I started noticing they (not all, some of them) stopped walking and rather laid down, even when they were out foraging frozen grass and weeds. It looked rather funny to me, and a bit less to the duck I saw doing that. As soon as temperature rose a tiny little bit, she was OK again. Well, there was nothing wrong with her in the first place, she was just a bit chilly.

I don't offer them supplemental heating at night in their coop and they don't complain. I guess if they can joyfully splash in freezing water, they won't mind cooler air temperatures. There's no draft there and they can keep warm by crowding themselves a bit. Giving them some more feed also helps.

 

[onaharley]

The last two nights I allowed them to sleep together. (Separation had to Be done due to over breeding). The only heat they get is by mating this weekend is suppose to be in the high 30's, so baths will be happening!!! They will be so happy!!!

 

[onaharley]

Tonight low is 7F but Feels like 2F......while doing pen clean up Ted, my drake, was physically shaking while sitting in the snow. Also he hobbled on one of his legs, but when he thought he was getting a treat...boy oh boy could he walk on it perfectly fine!! Once I got all the new straw sprinkled on and they ate, they felt comfortable and started to sleep while waiting for their nightly treats of mealworms. Meanwhile, this duck momma was feeling like her fingers were gonna fall off, even with insulated gloves on!!! Damnnn! It's cold!!

 

[chickens really]

The best advise is to do for your Birds as you see fit?...I sure do as I please......Happy Birds here..What worked yesterday, might not work tomorrow...?

 

[BantyChooks]

Happy Birds here..What worked yesterday, might not work tomorrow...?

You have some really weird birds, then.

To the OP: I have kept ducks (with no temperature regulation) from temperatures anywhere from -40*F to 90*F. They are tough critters.