1 mth old ducklings... what now??

[GracieJ]

Mine are two and a half weeks and they are so desperate to go outside! I’d say let them go out for supervised periods in a safe area, especially if they are a month old now. I’ll be taking mine out as soon as I have bought a run

 

[mybackyardgals]

Also how many do you have? I have 9 so I'm not too worried about cold because they can bunch together but if you only have a few that probably won't help.

I have three.
They are so attached to each other. If I take one out, to move to the tub, the other two go nutts!!
One is almost twice the size as the other two. Although one seems to be growing MUCH slower then the other two. I got them from tractor supply and they couldn’t tell me much at all about them.
I figured I’d turn the heat lamp off tonight. It’s warm out and I have a heater in the room that will kick on a 65. Do you think that’s to drastic of a change all at once? (My husband says I worry to much!!)

 

[mybackyardgals]

View attachment 1315410 Mine are two and a half weeks and they are so desperate to go outside! I’d say let them go out for supervised periods in a safe area, especially if they are a month old now. I’ll be taking mine out as soon as I have bought a run

YES

View attachment 1315410 Mine are two and a half weeks and they are so desperate to go outside! I’d say let them go out for supervised periods in a safe area, especially if they are a month old now. I’ll be taking mine out as soon as I have bought a run [/QUOTE

Looks like mine are not a month at all!! They look a lot like your pictures!
I’m working on a floating deck/ house to put on the pond to give them some shelter. Beyond that they will be on their own once I put them out. I’d keep them inside if they wouldn’t poop so much!! really enjoying the lil guys!

 

[Abraeri]

I have three.
They are so attached to each other. If I take one out, to move to the tub, the other two go nutts!!
One is almost twice the size as the other two. Although one seems to be growing MUCH slower then the other two. I got them from tractor supply and they couldn’t tell me much at all about them.
I figured I’d turn the heat lamp off tonight. It’s warm out and I have a heater in the room that will kick on a 65. Do you think that’s to drastic of a change all at once? (My husband says I worry to much!!)

I think they will be okay if they are a month old. I've heard Tractor Supply can be very inconsistent with breeds and age. I hatched my ducklings, and the last one out (2 days after the first bunch) is still a little behind and although not noticeably, he/she is smaller.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Abraeri you mean you put your ducklings out with food and water during the daytime just not over night? post 6.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

Mine are a month old and they were moved outside a few days ago. They have shavings with a heat lamp on one side and grass on the other. They are fed regular grower finisher with some scratch grain mixed in. Plenty of water. I have 4 and they go under the lamp if they get cold but usually they just cuddle up together in the grass. There is a board for wind break and one over the top where the shavings are to keep food and bedding dry.

 

[AppleChicks]

Mine are probably between 5 and 6 weeks now, they are Jumbo Pekins and are outside 24/7 with a heating pad in their cardboard box bed. They rarely use it anymore, they like to sleep under bushes now.

They are super happy and have been eating less and less of their feed as they forage more.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

Their run is still under construction so I have a extra large dog crate that I opened the back and attached a bit of flexible yet heavy fencing staked to the ground fairly well. It works as a good temporary yard for them.

 

[AppleChicks]

Their run is still under construction so I have a extra large dog crate that I opened the back and attached a bit of flexible yet heavy fencing staked to the ground fairly well. It works as a good temporary yard for them.

I used a large dog crate too! I am still using it as their "gate" for the current set up. They are cheap to find on Craigslist and super handy. I actually used on as their inside brooder. I have cats and when the ducks were tiny I was worried. Turns out my cats are scared of duckling squeaks...

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

I have a daschund lab mix and she loves to chase the chickens. I mean loves it. But it stresses them out. However she is super careful around the babies. It weird. But her favorite are the ducks, especially since they are starting to really quack. But like you, I wanted to be safe not sorry...