Approx age and when should they go outside?

[Cas1829]

I have white pekins. Bought them off of somebody who wasn't sure exact age. I've had them for 3 weeks at least. Just curious as to when I'll be able to take them outside to their coop (no electricity out there for a heat lamp though) it's not supposed to get below freezing for the next 2 weeks.

 

[Isaac 0]

Whats your temps averaging? I usually let mine out without a heat-lamp when all their adult feathers come in, of course depends on the weather too. I notice some of your birds have gunk/sticky stuff around their eye's are you providing deep enough water that they can dunk their heads in?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are going to be put out on the pond? I can just about guarantee they won’t use that floating house they will end up sleeping on the bank which is going to make them very vulnerable to predators. Have they been going outside to get acclimated to temps? I’d not put them out over night with that low of temps but on sunny days let them be outside some to get use to the temps.

 

[Isaac 0]

Even if they did go in the floating house, a raccoon, mink, otter or snapper could easily snatch them up anyway. I've not heard one person on here say that their ducks use floating duck houses.

 

[Miss Lydia]

And then making sure you haven’t snapping turtles in your pond? They will dine on adult ducks and ducklings

 

[Cas1829]

Even if they did go in the floating house, a raccoon, mink, otter or snapper could easily snatch them up anyway. I've not heard one person on here say that their ducks use floating duck houses.

The floating house is just there. If you look to the left of the picture there is a ramp that goes to a coop on edge of pond. All fenced in.

 

[Cas1829]

And then making sure you haven’t snapping turtles in your pond? They will dine on adult ducks and ducklings

No snapping turtles.

 

[Isaac 0]

The floating house is just there. If you look to the left of the picture there is a ramp that goes to a coop on edge of pond. All fenced in.

I see, the fence goes into the pond.

 

[Isaac 0]

No snapping turtles.

Where are you located? Snappers take up a large portion of the US

 

[Cas1829]

Whats your temps averaging? I usually let mine out without a heat-lamp when all their adult feathers come in, of course depends on the weather too. I notice some of your birds have gunk/sticky stuff around their eye's are you providing deep enough water that they can dunk their heads in?

Temps are averaging 50s and up to high 30s low 40s at night. I have a poultry water dish with deep reservoirs but apparently not deep enough.