When I saw Metzer (whose website I have been stalking) had a few select breeds available for the week of Jan 16th, I jumped at the chance. I just love ducklings and I have missed having them around, and the weeks and months 'till spring have been dragging. I got two WHs and a buff, all females. They will obviously be indoors until fully feathered, but I guess I am wondering after that, what a general guideline of ourdoor daytime/nighttime temps would have to be to be safe for them? Can they move out once they are fully feathered or do I have to slowly acclimate them, etc? I have only raised ducklings in the spring and summer so I am unsure how to go about this. Note: I am fine with keeping them inside as long as they need to be. I LOVE houseducks and would have some if not for my husband, who isn't so keen on them. LOL And of course, there will be lots of PICTURES once they arrive! I am excited to balance out my flock. Right now I have two drakes and a hen and they smother her with attention; pretty soon the drakes will have two ladies each!
Once they are a few weeks old you can move them outside as long as they are in a draft free area with a heat lamp.
Do they really ship ducklings in the middle of winter or are you picking them up?? I have been hatching year round for the last few years and genera;;y in winter the ducklings are inside until about 8 weeks old. They then go into the shed for a few weeks before joining the flock. I start off on a weekend leaving them out for the day on Saturday but bringing them back in for the night- but sunday they stay out permanently. Not much time to acclimatize- but they are fully sheltered and out of drafts. Here where I live it doesnt often get below freezing - so snow is something I have never had to deal with as well. Keeping them inside longer will keep them tamer as well - I pretty much get guided by smell rather than age with hen I put mine outside. Three dont make the air to bad. Im sure your current female will be glad for the company once your babies are grown.
