When is it too cold for ducks? - it's freezing in Portland, OR

[Bleenie]

(insert foot in mouth)

I just closed the coop all up and put in 2 lights & moved the cochins in with them. Mostly to ease my own mind but they seem happy being a little warmer & snuggled up. (a couple did have pinky feet too that are now back to normal color.)

 

[duckking]

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AHA!!!! But don't you feel better now?

 

[Bleenie]

I feel MUCH better now. They definitely wont be getting anymore pool time for a few days if this weather keeps up.

 

[Sumatra503]

1-3 inches of snow and a high of 26 expected in Coos Bay tonight. Not quite as cold as most places, but cold enough for me.

My ducks saw the snow for the first time today. they refused to come out of their house for about 10 minutes even when I offered them food. They just didn't like the looks of that snow. After they figured out it wouldn't kill them they were running all over the place and playing in the snow. I was freezing my butt off and they were just as happy as could be.

At bedtime tonight I made them a little bed of hay to sleep in. They insisted on sleeping on the other side of the pen where there is dirt. I didn't push it, but Gertrude, my cornish cross hen, sure looked happy to be sleeping in a nice soft bed.

They just had to have that one last drink of water before they went to bed. It drives me crazy, but I love them anyways. I also can't remember which one's Daisy so that's what I call all of them.

 

[linda_zeagler31002]

I have 500 plus ducks, and haven't had a duck to freeze to death yet.

 

[Bleenie]

How much property does it take to keep 500 ducks happy & healthy?!?? That's a lot of quackers!

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[jennytg3]

quick update - they ended up looking so miserable and shivering that I put them in the garage with a space heater. Then they were fine. Even with the space heater it still wasn't that warm but at least it was above freezing.

 

[Matapatos]

The blood circulation in their feet is criss crossed so their feet can handle any temp, really. Some ducks don't fly south for the winter as long as they can get food and water. The tough northern mallards and such would rather stay put, but the snow covering their food is what moves them. So winter is not a problem for healthy waterfowl. They are designed for it. We got down in to the negatives this past week and that brought in lots of new birds! I hunt so I like it, but I also get to see them out there in neg temps and there are thousands that are just fine with it... Ducks are designed for cold wet weather! Some tropical birds like Kansas kid mentioned do need some way to get out of the snow, but the cold temps are still usually ok... Good luck!

Travis

 

[duckluck]

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I'm glad for the reassurance...I have one more show coming up so I still have ducks out in breeding pens that will be coming into the barn when we get home from that, so I worry for right now. I had one sleepless night where I kept getting up and checking on ducks who were quite annoyed by me shining the flashlight on them!

LOVE your sig line, by the way!

 

[linda_zeagler31002]

Well, I have 10 acres, and I buy 1000 pounds bulk 16% protein pellets a month, and 300 lbs of 28 % crushed protein, and 500 lbs of corn, and 500 lbs of wheat, I grow my own Giant Sunflowers & Collards & greens, we have fruit trees planted to give them fresh fruits, we plant rye and grains to let them graze in, so LOL, they get fed well and get to ramble, I let one breed of each out to graze together, on Monday per say the African geese and the Khaki, Tuesday the Toulose and Runners, Wed. the White Chinese and the Rouen, Thursday Geese and White Rare mallards, Friday you get the idea, but it does take a lot of work and dedication to keep up with every body and make sure they are all healthy but being a nurse I have the heart and dedication naturally