Are my ducks ok to sleep outside tonight? Almost 4 weeks old??

[ldutch123]

We built a big insulated dog house with attached outside cage. Completely safe with 1/2 inch welded wire covering the outside part. The inside of the house is filled with straw and my duckies are starting to feather. They were panting in the garage and I'm scared they will be scared outside. I have 4 ducklings and they are currently outside. It was 90 today and the low tonight is supposed to be 68 and tomorrow low is 62. Will they be ok and warm enough? They haven't had a heat lamp in the garage for like a week now.

Also during the day they get the run opened up to them. Is it ok for them to access the pool also or should I keep them away unless I'm home. They have already swam a lot most days but never without me there. What do u guys and gals think.

 

[Amiga]

Big questions!

The night time temperatures are probably fine. Daytime temperatures indicate the ducks will need shade and plenty of drinking water. I have a shade cloth that goes on the sunny side of the duck house, and the house is under a sugar maple tree.

I would not leave them alone with swimming water while you are away yet, as they are just starting to feather.

An outdoor thermometer is handy to monitor temperatures.

Give them peas (or other treats) and spend some time with them while they are in the outdoor enclosure at first, to help reduce everyone's anxiety.

 

[ldutch123]

Thanks for responding. they spent the night outside last night and did just great. I checked on them late to see if they were up and peeping and everyone waz asleep back cuddled inside the House. We built the house with a large lean to on the side so they have a lot of shade. I let them swim when I'm home. What age do you think they can have full access to their run and pool?

 

[Amiga]

The rule of thumb is pretty much once they are in full feather.

 

[kristen2678]

My runners are 3.5 weeks. They have stomach, wing, and tail feathers. Tonight is their second night without a light. They have been outside with heat for a couple weeks but have not spent much time under the light. They were totally avoiding it, so I removed it. They were getting caught in the net fencing I used to keep them close to their enclosure, so I removed it. They stayed very close to their house for a week. They've been just steps from a pond for days. They finally took the plunge late this afternoon. Just a quick dip and then back to the grass. I'll feel better when they are totally feathered, but they grow so fast. It could be tomorrow!