Any Leaving the Brooder Tips?

[Andrea PNW]

Hello fellow duck parents - looking for thoughts/tips/advice on moving my pair of 5wk cayugas out of the brooder (which they have way outgrown) into their forever home which will be a fully enclosed shed that I don't use. It's a bit large for just two ducks and will eventually be modified with a predator-proof duck run. They will have a primo duck mansion really.

I think I'm set in terms of the setup of the shed - I'm more wondering about how I can introduce them to their new home in the least stressful way. Do I just get the space set up and just put them in there and that's that? It's hot and they are just about fully feathered so I'm not worried about heat but should I have a light in there or something at night? Am I overthinking it?

Thanks all!

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

What're your highs/lows averaging in your area?

With mine, I tend to just throw them out there. They'll be a little "spooked" at first, but eventually, they'll come to an agreement with their new pen. If they don't like it very well, you'll have to slowly integrate them into their new area over the course of a few days.

Note, that treats may alleviate any stress when you set them in there.

 

[Andrea PNW]

Hello fellow duck parents - looking for thoughts/tips/advice on moving my pair of 5wk cayugas out of the brooder (which they have way outgrown) into their forever home which will be a fully enclosed shed that I don't use. It's a bit large for just two ducks and will eventually be modified with a predator-proof duck run. They will have a primo duck mansion really.

I think I'm set in terms of the setup of the shed - I'm more wondering about how I can introd

Welcome to BYC!

What're your highs/lows averaging in your area?

With mine, I tend to just throw them out there. They'll be a little "spooked" at first, but eventually, they'll come to an agreement with their new pen. If they don't like it very well, you'll have to slowly integrate them into their new area over the course of a few days.

Note, that treats may alleviate any stress when you set them in there.

uce them to their new home in the least stressful way. Do I just get the space set up and just put them in there and that's that? It's hot and they are just about fully feathered so I'm not worried about heat but should I have a light in there or something at night? Am I overthinking it?

Thanks all!

Welcome to BYC!

What're your highs/lows averaging in your area?

With mine, I tend to just throw them out there. They'll be a little "spooked" at first, but eventually, they'll come to an agreement with their new pen. If they don't like it very well, you'll have to slowly integrate them into their new area over the course of a few days.

Note, that treats may alleviate any stress when you set them in there.

Mid 50f at night, mid 70s during the day - and thank you for the response. Barbe and Ed are more my pets so their adjustment is important especially since I got them at 2wks and missed all that imprinting/bonding time. And even though they really don't like to be handled and they have explosive Hershey squirt poo - man are they hilarious. Ducks are so effin' funny. Especially when they are on the move and doing so with purpose. One night I picked up Barbe in the yard to take them into the brooder for the night (I don't know Barbe's sex yet) and Ed was like - oh hell no- and barreled through an opening in the pen and shot across 10yrds of flower beds cuz they (no idea on Ed's sex either) were not going to be left behind and I took Ed's buddy.

Fearful on the regular for the most part and then remarkably fearless with a purpose.

Swooooooon

 

[Andrea PNW]

 

[Beaglegal]

Those temps sound fine for your ducks. During the day if it gets hot, I just replace their swim water with new cool water. They like to chill in their water if it’s warm. Other than that they are pretty self sufficient. Ducks are also pretty resilient with stress so I would just rip the band aid off and move them. Apply treats liberally and they will be fine.

 

[Andrea PNW]

Those temps sound fine for your ducks. During the day if it gets hot, I just replace their swim water with new cool water. They like to chill in their water if it’s warm. Other than that they are pretty self sufficient. Ducks are also pretty resilient with stress so I would just rip the band aid off and move them. Apply treats liberally and they will be fine.

Bless you thank you!

 

[Texag87]

I threw our spring ducklings out at less than 3 weeks. Only regret is they are not as friendly as our old ducks. Liberal treats for a while and they will be fine.

 

[Andrea PNW]

The new duck digs

 

[Beaglegal]

The new duck digs

They look comfy

 

[Andrea PNW]

They look comfy

They seemed to have a great night and came back in tonight with only minimal mealworm incentives. WIN!