Seriously, how cold is too cold?

[onaharley]

Yesterday we almost hit 40 and it rained--first time above freezing in a while, and the ducks were jazzed. Sure enough, their food consumption also went way up. Here's how happy they were:

Now we're back in the 20s with snow on the way and then bitter cold (below zero F for a couple nights in a row).

Love it!

 

[onaharley]

Currently experiencing a cold snap here....

Highs all week in the mid teens but the wind chill is gonna get us, making it feel like -1.....and I don't see any break coming in the 10 days. Now I'm starting to worry about them. Tonight Ted, the male, was again visibly shaking and both still had water frozen on them from earlier. Ugh!! How thick of straw do you put down?

Ok my worry rant is over..

 

[3bird]

Currently experiencing a cold snap here....

Highs all week in the mid teens but the wind chill is gonna get us, making it feel like -1.....and I don't see any break coming in the 10 days. Now I'm starting to worry about them. Tonight Ted, the male, was again visibly shaking and both still had water frozen on them from earlier. Ugh!! How thick of straw do you put down?

Ok my worry rant is over..

We locked our guys in around midday today with the snow coming hard and gusts to 40 mph. They have probably five inches of pine shavings covered by another five inches of straw in the duckhouse. I fluff the straw twice a day, clean out the big poops and add more straw as needed. Some were shivering out in the run even behind a windbreak, but everyone settled in and looked content in the duckhouse. We're going to have the temps bottom out for a few days starting tomorrow, and we're anxious.

 

[onaharley]

We locked our guys in around midday today with the snow coming hard and gusts to 40 mph. They have probably five inches of pine shavings covered by another five inches of straw in the duckhouse. I fluff the straw twice a day, clean out the big poops and add more straw as needed. Some were shivering out in the run even behind a windbreak, but everyone settled in and looked content in the duckhouse. We're going to have the temps bottom out for a few days starting tomorrow, and we're anxious.

I'm not sure I got enough straw down.....but I will tomorrow!!! I do the same thing with fluffing. they have a house within their house, but she only uses it when laying eggs, or so it seems!

 

[Alaskan]

Currently experiencing a cold snap here....

Highs all week in the mid teens but the wind chill is gonna get us, making it feel like -1.....and I don't see any break coming in the 10 days. Now I'm starting to worry about them. Tonight Ted, the male, was again visibly shaking and both still had water frozen on them from earlier. Ugh!! How thick of straw do you put down?

Ok my worry rant is over..

that is why I don't like them bathing when it is that cold. Blasting wind definitely makes it worse.

I like wood shavings better than hay or staw, since wood shavings are easier for me to fluff, easier to remove poop clumps from without cleaning out everything, and I also think they can snuggle down into them better.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I agree with all Alaskan has said.
Take away the pool and put down shaving so they can snuggle and boy once the poop freezes it is very easy to pick up off shavings fluff and ready to go again.

 

[onaharley]

The little pool is done until we get back into the 30's....at least!!! I'm heading to tractor supply in a minute and will get shavings.