01/06/2025
Science facts from Mama Jen (Winter edition)
Did you know?
Most waterfowl have special cardiovascular plumbing that allows them to keep their feet from freezing! Its called Countercurrent heat exchange. The arteries and veins in a duck's feet run parallel to each other allowing warm arteries to exchange heat with cooler veins, preventing heat loss from occurring.
But wait there's more! Under the waterproof outer plumage, a duck is equipped with a layer of down feathers that traps warm air close to its body. Ducks are insulated well enough by this down layer to remain comfortable in below freezing weather.
Other than a windbreak, protection from increased winter predator pressure, and water for their nairs(more about those later) ducks don't require extra winter weather accommodations.
