Snow to cold for ducks' feet?

[PoultryBird12]

I live in Minnesota.. and it has been really cold with snow.... and I wondered if the snow is too much for the mallards? I know wild mallards migrate in the fall to avoid the snow and cold..... so is the snow bad for my mallards' feet? They walk a few steps and then lay down and hide their feet in their feathers. The coop that we built doesn't have any snow in it... so they do have a place where they can get out of the snow... I'm just hoping that ducks don't get frost bite.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I live in Minnesota.. and it has been really cold with snow.... and I wondered if the snow is too much for the mallards? I know wild mallards migrate in the fall to avoid the snow and cold..... so is the snow bad for my mallards' feet? They walk a few steps and then lay down and hide their feet in their feathers. The coop that we built doesn't have any snow in it... so they do have a place where they can get out of the snow... I'm just hoping that ducks don't get frost bite.

Ducks can get frost bite so if you can put down some straw or shaving where they hang out the most they will appreciate it. I think all ducks do that when there is ice or snow take a few steps then lay down on their legs and feet, or hold one leg up under their feathers. When it's icy or snowy here as soon as mine come outside of a morning they will lay down on their feet.

 

[MohicanHase]

snow is fine for them as long as they have somewhere to get out of it, here in Ohio, mallards don't migrate and stay right trough all the snow and cold, so far my ducks have done very good with the snow.

 

[MohicanHase]

Also they can get frostbite, but mine would walk a few steps and lay down, and they were only out for a few seconds. lol then they got more active as the sun came out,

 

[Miss Lydia]

snow is fine for them as long as they have somewhere to get out of it, here in Ohio, mallards don't migrate and stay right trough all the snow and cold, so far my ducks have done very good with the snow.

Really Mallards don't migrate they do from here haven't seen a wild Mallard since last Oct. but today when I was out cleaning the duck house I heard geese, looked up and a flock of about 10 Canada's flew over head Hadn't seen any of them since last Oct either.

 

[PoultryBird12]

Ducks do migrate here. I haven't seen a duck (except for mine) for about two months... :| Thanks for the info everybody!

 

[MohicanHase]

where I am at in ohio we have wild mallards all year long, along with wood ducks too. people hunt them all thought the winter.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I'm in MI. Wood ducks yes, but most mallards do fly South. Do keep an eye on your ducks' feet.

 

[Going Quackers]

I have calls, they swim in negative temps.. i just ensure all have access to a house to get off the snow... but in all fairness. i do have wild mallard here still and Geese, they do migrate but many don't as well.

Usually a water source seems to help, again my calls all get pans of water and spend most of their time in it.. just ensure it doesn't freeze around them. I do know after reading over time the blood flow in a ducks legs/feet are different than say us, i cannot really debate the issue on frostbite some argue not possible, others argue yes, i have no experience but i do know my birds quite a few don't even live indoors anymore and do cope, the pulling the legs in is a method to warm themselves, they have quite a number of very good defenses, again i just fall to the typical, offer housing, food and water.

 

[Mother of duckies]

I live in Minnesota.. and it has been really cold with snow.... and I wondered if the snow is too much for the mallards? I know wild mallards migrate in the fall to avoid the snow and cold..... so is the snow bad for my mallards' feet? They walk a few steps and then lay down and hide their feet in their feathers. The coop that we built doesn't have any snow in it... so they do have a place where they can get out of the snow... I'm just hoping that ducks don't get frost bite.

My Cayuga duckies have a heated house with a ton of straw and bedding, but they prefer to be outdoors, even when it gets very cold here in Colorado. This morning, my hen laid down pretty much right away and foraged. My drake usually lifts up on one leg. They get more active as the day goes on, but I have also heard that they like having their bodies on the cold earth because their internal temp is so high. I would just trust that your duckies know when to give themselves a break from the cold. Hope this helps!