When is it too cold to swim?

[HollowOfWisps]

they aren’t gonna freeze at 30 but definitely aren’t comfortable after a certain point

To a degree yes, but ducks are not dumb and do possess basic survival instincts. People tend to project their own emotions and feelings onto ducks when a duck does not feel the cold in the same way we do. That doesn't mean that they don't get cold, but rather they naturally are built for weather that we simply are not. When we think "Wow this is absolutely freezing I'm going to go inside" it's because we feel the cold and wind hit our exposed bare skin that is not made to withstand harsh environments like cold water or cold wind. A duck doesn't have exposed skin in the same sense we do (even the "skin" on their legs is a different makeup than ours) because a duck has down feathers to insulate and then contour feathers overtop for wind and water protection. Ducks also have their natural survival instincts that tell them how to well...survive. So if a duck is cold enough that their feathers and countercirculation in their legs are not able to keep up, they will search for a warmer environment i.e head back to the coop in this situation. Now yes, there are extreme situations where you have a duck who lacks these instincts to a degree, but overall a duck should be able to naturally make the decision in regards to self preservation.

 

[KaleIAm]

When there is ice floating around in my ducks' pool they happily swim in it. I think they are nuts but trust they will get out of it when they are too cold. They have warmer options, they just want to swim in ice water in the winter. It's like they are a different species. ;-)

 

[graypes]

Thank you all so much! I'm glad to hear that they will be okay! Lol helicopter parent moment for me