age to go outside?

[artsyrobin]

Hi everyone, my ducklings are 4 weeks old, i have been putting them out during the day- but was wondering what is the minimum temp they can handle at nite? they are just starting to get feathers....

 

[AnconaDuck]

typically we figure that you drop the temp of the heat 5* each week. So, at week four, they would be comfortable around 75*. We have put ducks at this age outside before, but we just watch them to make sure they are not too cold. I guess it depends on your weather, too

 

[Amiga]

Hi, artsyrobin,

Sweet little ducklin's, there!

I use the Holderread guideline of 90 degrees F for week one, dropping 5 degrees a week till they get comfortable with room or outdoor temperature.

So, age is part of the equation, but so is outdoor temperature, and so is the type of shelter they have.

At four weeks (I always have to count on my fingers), low temperatures somewhere between 70 and 75 would be okay for most ducklings. And yes, there are people who set their little ones out in much colder weather. It is your decision. I want mine to have the best start in life I can give them, so I err on the side of caution. Come fall, when they are six months old, they will be mature enough, fully feathered, and hardened to living outside, so they will continue to stay outside, even though it gets quite cold here in winter.

 

[monathequeen]

That is a good question........My ducklings are about three weeks old. Cute little boogers but my house is starting to smell....I have them in a plastic kiddy pool and they have been under the heat light since then. It is about 80 degrees inside w/ the heat light. They are growing so fast and I take them outside during the day. I built them a 8ft. by three ft. and three ft high Pen....wired so nothing can bother them. They spent most of the day outside yesterday BUT it was 80 degrees. Tonight is going to get down to 45 deg. so I will keep housing them inside until the temp is atleast 65-70 deg. at night. I really want to house them outside w/ the other Ducks too but it's not warm enough at night yet...hang in there and when the Temp is consistantly 65-80 at night, they will be OK !! I put them in the tub everyday for 10-15 min. to bathe...I supervise them in case they get too drenched and start panting....they know when it's time to come out. Is'nt it so much fun having those beautiful little ducklings ??? I'm having a BLAST>.....

 

[artsyrobin]

they are absolutely wonderful- but boy did they grow fast- yes, i have them in at nite, they have a duck yard in the chicken run- so there is chcainlink, then their pen is against the chain link, still trying to figure out a duck house! its still in the mid 50's at nite, so they come in in the evening... yes they have gotten fragrant!