At What Age Can Ducks Come Out of the Brooder?

[Amy S]

I was going to ask that question - minus the pond part. Our Runners (8 days old) won't be going on a pond, but they will have their own pre-form type pond in their run. I was going on the same advice given for those releasing to large ponds.

We are paying special attention to predation when designing our pen, especially after viewing what appeared to be a good dozen or so turkey vultures flying high in the sky over our street. Scary!!!!

 

[sarbee42]

I guess it all depends on where you live as well.. Where I am its usually pretty cold still but this week and part of last week we've been having summer-like weather so all babies have been going outside during the day and coming in at night. Makes cleaning the brooders a whole lot easier for me and they get lots of fresh air and exercise!
Sometimes when they're really little they can be sort of dumb so its harder to leave them out unattended. Once they get the hang of where food and water is then they're usually okay after that

 

[blacktop240]

A little late on this post but... I wait for mine to be almost fully feathered with only a few to none of the baby fluffy feathers left. Same with my chickens too. I like some meat on the bones before they go outside. Thats just my way of doing it saves the headache of guessing and hoping they don't die cause of a cold spell or what ever the case may be.

 

[Phoenix2015]

We live in North Central FL and I have 4 pekin ducks that are 3.5 weeks old. I've had to change their brooder several times due to their rate of growth. We will have their pen ready this weekend, is it too soon to move them outside? They will have access to a raised enclosed coop with heat source for the nights that do seem to get down to about 60 degree's at night?

 

[GagesMom15]

Outdoor pond..? Probably not until their fully feathered at least..
You can give them a "bath" earlier though! I usually wait until mine are 2-3 days old and then put some warm water in the sink and let them play. Helps develop their oil glands so that when they go outside, they'll be well protected from rain and water in their pool. I usually dry them off a bit with a towel and then watch as they seem to know what to do after that. They go back into their brooder when they're all fluffy again and usually all have a nap after all that exercise

I am definitely going to try this. I had just got my ducks (9 of them) and never thought about putting them in the bath