HELP!! Domestic Ducks won't come off freezing pond

[shantelm]

Ducks won't come out of pond, and it's starting to freeze Tonight it'll be below 20 and I can't get them out of the pond. Please does anybody have any ideas they can somewhat fly at least over my head and have a coop ready and waiting for them also put a smaller nesting box out by the pond shore in case they do get cold what do I do?

 

[BelovedBirds]

Ducks won't come out of pond, and it's starting to freeze Tonight it'll be below 20 and I can't get them out of the pond. Please does anybody have any ideas they can somewhat fly at least over my head and have a coop ready and waiting for them also put a smaller nesting box out by the pond shore in case they do get cold what do I do

Can you tempt them out with food? Lead up to the coop?
Try different treats to get them onto land?
How big is the pond? Any chance of scaring them onto land and herding them into the coop?

 

[Coops Dad]

Leave them be, they're not cold. Their bodies are perfectly designed to paddle around in 33* water. If/when they DO get cold, or when the pond gets completely iced over, they'll come out on their own.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Leave them be, they're not cold. Their bodies are perfectly designed to paddle around in 33* water. If/when they DO get cold, or when the pond gets completely iced over, they'll come out on their own.

Not always, I've heard awful things about ducks in frozen/freezing ponds-- Im sure most know to get out, but when its getting this cold it would be best to get them in, doesn't seem worth the risk. Aside from the cold, freezing water and wind chill, theres also predators.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not always, I've heard awful things about ducks in frozen/freezing ponds-- Im sure most know to get out, but when its getting this cold it would be best to get them in, doesn't seem worth the risk. Aside from the cold, freezing water and wind chill, theres also predators.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My ducks are terrified of the broom. I can be dozens of yards away, but if I hold up that broom, they start running. I'd try treats first, but if that doesn't work, you might try scaring them in the direction you want them to go.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Mine did break the ice in a large tub for bathing that I have and they all got in and took turns taking a bath which surprised me. I was freezing taking care of them but they were loving the icy water and happy to be bathing in their cold tub. When I think of humans using a hot tub in the freezing weather outside I guess we are not hurting ourselves anymore than the ducks are. lol

 

[Coops Dad]

Freezing into ponds is extremely rare but no doubt happens; probably more often to wild ducks than domestic. I searched the site for instances of ducks frozen in ice and the only mention was of a duck who couldn't get out of a pond, either due to slippery steep sides or something called "wet feather". The pond didn't freeze but the duck was waterlogged and shivering.

There were plenty of people who related the delight their ducks found in open water patches on otherwise frozen ponds, though.

Predators are always a concern.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Someone did post once that they had a duck whose feet froze, but that was in extreme temps. I'd be more worried about predators, but I also wouldn't want to take any chances.

Be sure to update this thread, @shantelm

 

[Luv Ducks]

Someone did post once that they had a duck whose feet froze, but that was in extreme temps. I'd be more worried about predators, but I also wouldn't want to take any chances.

Be sure to update this thread, @shantelm

In Ohio a few years back there is a pond next to our local fire station. A duck did get it's feet froze to it and the fire department decided to use it as a rescue practice and got it out of the ice. It can happen but it is rare as that is the only time I have ever known that to happen and the pond is always full of wild ducks.