Winter swimming.

[Birdmama2020]

Hello, I am wondering about bringing my 2 ducks in to use the tub to have a bath. But I have heard different things about weather that is a good idea or not. Will it be to much of a shock to go from outside to the warmth of the house and then back out?
I definitely don't want to stress them out or cause any health issues but I do feel bad that they have a pool all other seasons and well they are ducks and so thats their thing lol. Has anyone else done this and it been successful?
My second question is..
I have 2 female khaki campbells. They have not laid an egg in couple weeks. They are eating, drinking and other then being in the coop more then usual because of winter are acting normal. Is it ok for them not to lay during the winter?

Thank you all!

 

[MissMonty]

I don't think it would be a shock but you'd want to make sure they were dry when they go back outside. Well at least I would here because it can be REALLY cold. In the winters my ducks didn't have a place to swim but I made sure they had water they could get their beaks all the way in.

As far as eggs most chickens/ducks slow down egg production in the winter. She should pick back up once the day light hours get longer again.

 

[Birdmama2020]

I don't think it would be a shock but you'd want to make sure they were dry when they go back outside. Well at least I would here because it can be REALLY cold. In the winters my ducks didn't have a place to swim but I made sure they had water they could get their beaks all the way in.

As far as eggs most chickens/ducks slow down egg production in the winter. She should pick back up once the day light hours get longer again.

Thank you for your reply. They do have water deep enough to get their beaks in but I see they would like to get right in. I have been told if they don't get a bath it could cause issues with mites etc..

 

[MissMonty]

Thank you for your reply. They do have water deep enough to get their beaks in but I see they would like to get right in. I have been told if they don't get a bath it could cause issues with mites etc..

For me the couple months in the deep of the winter I can't reasonably get them in water. I never really had a problem with mites for them either. I am sure its possible but I never had that problem. For my ducks that I had the stress of bringing them inside to bathe and waiting for them to dry to go back out wouldn't be great for them. I usually just waited for a random warm day or for it to warm up in general.

 

[DukesDucks]

My Muscovy ducks don't get their kiddy pool in the winter. Too darn cold and snowy here for bathing. They do have access to deep water dishes which allows them to completely dunk their hears. I have to bring these in each night because by the end of the day they are frozen. First thing ducks do each morning, when let into the run where their food and water is, is that funny head dunking/sneezing clearing nostrils routine. I also haven't had any eggs for a couple of months. I know my girls will make up for it later with lots of eggs.

 

[DucksOhio]

I have a kiddie pool I use outside in the winter, fill it with lukewarm water. they sure appreciate that.

 

[DukesDucks]

This might sound like a stupid question but here goes. It is pretty icy here after a brief thaw cycle followed by more snow. I would worry about the ducks feet getting frozen to the ice after using the pool.

 

[Birdmama2020]

My Muscovy ducks don't get their kiddy pool in the winter. Too darn cold and snowy here for bathing. They do have access to deep water dishes which allows them to completely dunk their hears. I have to bring these in each night because by the end of the day they are frozen. First thing ducks do each morning, when let into the run where their food and water is, is that funny head dunking/sneezing clearing nostrils routine. I also haven't had any eggs for a couple of months. I know my girls will make up for it later with lots of eggs.

thank you for your reply, my girls have the same routine when i let them out in the morning. so cute! good to know they are good with no bath for a bit. i will get them a bigger pool for spring to make up for it.

 

[KaleIAm]

I allow my ducks to swim outside in the winter, even on days when we get well below freezing. I have one duck who has poor feather quality, so she doesn't get to, but the other ones who are waterproof do. After they hop out of the ice water, where they were enjoying themselves for quite a while, they wipe water off their feathers with their bills and are perfectly dry. Then they want to go foraging while I'm shivering and can hardly tolerate to be outside. Even though I'm all bundled up, drinking hot tea, and wearing a heated vest.

If my ducks' feet get cold when they are out of the water they tuck them into their feathers or go into the barn, where they have thick layers of straw.

My ducks are my very much adored precious pets, and I tend to coddle them. Yet the only one I'm worried about in the cold is the one who isn't waterproof. She has to come inside for baths, and stay inside when it is cold - per avian vet instructions. The other ones are fine. They are fully feathered healthy waterproof adults.

 

[KaleIAm]

Oh, and your second question, yes it is perfectly normal for ducks to reduce or stop egg production as the days gets shorter. As the daylight increases each day they should begin to lay again.

For pets it is even favorable to give their bodies a break from the hard work of making eggs.