2 week old duckling in with the chickens

[HeatherMo]

Ok, I'm glad for what you are doing but I kinda wish that kennel was more secure. You want them to feel like they are safe. Maybe you've got some plywood or board laying around that you could put up against it and on top of the kennel? You know, to make a house type thing using the kennel as a base? Even if you've got a blue tarp to put around it temporarily until they get bigger it would proably keep them warmer and give them the feeling that they are safe from predators.

I’m on it! I actually put a tarp on them last night and again tonight. The kennel is completely enclosed and Michigan predator proofed. We don’t have snakes around here large enough to be a concern. Our predators are raccoons, possums, large birds like hawks and barn cats. None of those could get at them in this kennel, I don’t think. Michigan’s weather is all over the place so I will take them in if it gets too cold or too nasty. So far so good with them in the current set up. I let them outside of the coop tonight fully supervised and they seem happy!

 

[HeatherMo]

I would definitely be concerned about temperature, friend. From experience, please do make sure they are kept warm. As Jbently mentioned, I am concerned about predators as well.

At what temperature did you have problems? And what age were your ducks?

 

[CindyinSD]

Are your ducklings well-feathered? Here we’re having nighttime temp in the high 40s to 50s. I’m new to ducks but I’m told that’s too cold. Mine are Welsh Harlequins and about 6 wks; no feathers yet. Once they’re feathered out they’re pretty tough but until then they need protection from the kind of “unsummer” weather we’ve been having here.

 

[CindyinSD]

Oh yes... I did intend to also mention that raccoons can reach through the bars and kill+dismember a bird without ever entering the cage. We don’t have coons, but if you do, you may want to clad the kennel in hardware cloth.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@HeatherMo - My first week was extremely critical. We had a sudden temperature change where the weather bottomed out in between 1 to 2 and I ended up losing my last duckling and all but one chick. This was a few years back and we are alot more picky now with how/where we keep them and temperature monitoring of our new chicks/ducklings whenever we have got them.

 

[HeatherMo]

It’s gotten down to 60 at night and I keep a tarp over the kennel. They have a small snug cardboard box with lots of bedding that they sleep in. They seem to be doing great. I’ll bring them in if the night temps get any lower but the forecast looks promising. It’s so nice to have them out of the house! The dog kennel is predator proofed I think. No way a coon is going to slide a hand between the bars. It’s completely enclosed so I think they are safe!