When can i introduce my ducklings to a fenced section of grass?

Hey Guys! im new i joined yesterday, im just learning my way around this place. so i deeply apologize if my question has been asked before, i just couldnt find a thread asking the same thing.

I have my very first 4 tiny little baby ducks, the start of my flock. I'm gettind 6 EE chicks on friday. they are almost 2 weeks old. i have them in a big rubbermaid tub with a heat lamp and they are doing quite well. i was just wondering when can i take them on outings into the yard? i dont mean to take them out and leave them out to free range yet. i just have neighbours kids who are constantly interested in visiting them, and i dont neccessarily want them (the kids) in my house all the time, and with it getting so hot out (i live in the fraser valley, in the lower mainland, of BC, Canada.) i was hoping i could introduce them to a supervised, penned up section of our lawn. so we could fawn over them out there.

Depends on how warm it is. If it's in the 70s or above they should be just fine outside for a few minutes, 10-15 minutes is a good start. Make sure it's not too windy. If you notice they are starting to show signs of being cold put them back under the heat.

Would love to see pictures (hint-hint).

great question as I was wondering the same thing. I'm about to get three female pekin ducklings myself and live in florida. lately we've been in the low 90's (but it feels like the 100's thanks to the humidity). I was thinking that at like week two I could take them outside for a little bit based on all the research I've been doing.

I live in Florida. I waited about 3 weeks to put mine outside in a grassy area because, it was constantly windy. As soon as it was in the 70's and not windy, I started taking them outside for short periods of time.

It's more about the weather than the age. Mine were hatched in August so it was hot. I took them on their first trip outside at 4 days old.

Here's a couple photos of my babies from the first day i got them. they are in an outside rabbit hutch i hope to use for when they are old enough to be outside but not old enough to be in the coop. it was just to introduce them to the upstairs kids. currently being housed in my rubber maid in our spare room.

our Pekin is named Keno (he was a gift , that stays at my house, for my best friends son who fell madly in love with the pekin breed on his first time to a poultry swap we took him to.)

the larger lighter coloured muscovy is Onion.- the woman i bought them from speculates hes a boy from his bill shape? and that he'll be blue/lavender or fawn, anybody with experience have any guesses as to future colour?

the Darkest one is Bernise - the woman i bought them from speculates shes female again from the bill shape? and that she will be black? again, anybody have a guess?

the tiny chocolate one is Quacky - again, bill shape lady says should be a little girl. and chocolate.

is this a thing? the bill shape on such younglings can tell you its a boy or girl? these are my first ever ducks, and the chicks on friday (EE's) will be my first ever chicks. hell i havent even ever had a a canary or budgey. im so new to this.

wow im sorry that looks like so manic, i dont know what happened to my paragraph.

zchryjmsbnntt said:

great question as I was wondering the same thing. I'm about to get three female pekin ducklings myself and live in florida. lately we've been in the low 90's (but it feels like the 100's thanks to the humidity). I was thinking that at like week two I could take them outside for a little bit based on all the research I've been doing.

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If it is already in the 90s, you are already at temps outside that are suggested for the first week if using a brooder.
You can take your babies outside as soon as you want to. Just watch that they don't get over heated running around. Encourage them to explore some shaded areas. You can even let them swim (just don't use cold water - fill a small pool for them or something and just let it sit outside and get to temp). If it is 90 out, they can even run around after they hop out.

Ducks and chicks do not stay under mom 24/7 - they venture out and return to her to warm up. No reason you can't do the same with new ducks and chicks.