2006-12-14 03:49:36 · 10 answers · asked by DJ ä¸?ä¸? 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Ducks float -- chickens don't.
"Answer: The reason ducks (or geese) stay afloat is complicated. There is a special gland that produces oil back near the duck's tail. As the duck preens itself, the oil is spread out over it's feathers and coats them making them waterproof. If you were to dip or pour a degreaser on the duck, it would remove the oil and the duck would drown in water.
Because the feathers are waterproof, they can trap air and this also helps to keep the duck afloat. When the duck dives under for food, the air is squeezed from the feathers. Also, the duck has air sacs (lungs) that it empties before diving. When it has caught the fish or whatever it is after, it kicks back to the surface. As it's head breaks the surface, it takes a deep breath and as the lungs fill up, it is jerked to the surface. A quick ruffle of the feathers and it is back to normal, floating on the surface."
The feet are helpful, but not essential. There are swimming birds like coot and moorhen that don't truly have webbed feet.
2006-12-14 05:14:50 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because ducks are adapted to swimming. They have webbed feet that act much like flippers or fins. They also have a two layer feather coat. The under coat being comprised of downy fluffy type feathers that are waterproof and add buoyancy. Chickens do not have webbed feet and are not adapted in any other way to swim.
2006-12-14 03:55:37 · answer #2 · answered by Janine E 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Webbed feet on the duck allow them to propel themselves through the water, where chickens do not have these. In addition, the ducks generate more oil on their feathers to waterproof themselves.
2006-12-14 03:52:08 · answer #3 · answered by wespectmyauthoritah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simple. Ducks have naturals oils in their feathers that repel water and add to buoyancy. Plus they have webbed feet that allow them to easily paddle through water. Chickens don't have the oils and are less buoyant and have separate toes that hinder their ability to paddle.
2006-12-14 03:58:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the feet of the duck is webbed- joined with a thin layer of skin- whereas it is not so with the chicken
2006-12-14 04:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by hari prasad 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not o.k.. in case you;re worried approximately flooding, verify they could arise someplace (like the suited of of a barn) to stay to tell the story. If their feathers get moist - they sink. Chickens at the instant are not flight birds.
2016-10-14 22:39:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well ducks have webed feet and chickens don't have webed feet.
2006-12-14 03:53:58 · answer #7 · answered by Andrea F 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they don't have the down feathers or the webbed feet
2006-12-14 03:57:35 · answer #8 · answered by nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
......... look carefully the design of both of them ................ and you will see ......... there is a lot of very big difference between both of them ............. the build .... properties of feathers waterproof .......... the linkage of leg with shape to paddle the water ..........clear head, flat beak, and so on and so forth .............
2006-12-14 03:59:56 · answer #9 · answered by spaceman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause they dont feel like it
2006-12-14 03:51:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋