Wet ducks on this very cold morning

[tjcschwar]

I am worried about my ducks this morning. I gave them their kitty-litter box full of water as usual, but for some reason their feathers are very wet. They are fluffed up and shivering. It is 24 degrees. I am wondering if I should stuff them back into their little house with a heating pad (already used at night). They would hate being in there for the daytime. What do you all think?

 

[keeperofthehearth]

What breed are they? I have Scovies and when they take a bath in below freezing temps their feathers stay wet much longer and they end up with frozen feathers that "rattle" when they shake them out. If yours are shivering I'd be concerned though. If they are used to a heat pad at night you might consider getting them warmed and dried off a bit more in their house before allowing them back outside. Or, if there is any wind, at the very least, get them somewhere out of any wind till they have a chance to dry out more.

 

[tjcschwar]

Thanks for the reply! They are khaki campbells. I took photos, but I cannot find the cable for the camera. But yes, they have chucks of ice hanging off. It is milder now, and they are fine, I guess. I will have to watch them. It appears to me that their oil glands are not working so well, which I have heard is true of ducks that do not get to swim. Obviously they get enough water to soak themselves, though!

 

[the Old Rebel]

I've actually brought my muscovies in and towel dried them and then blown them dry with a hair dryer on low setting when I've seen their wings iced up. I've learned now you don't have to do that, but it is quite unnerving to see them like that. I would make sure they are out of any wind though.