Bring ducklings in or not?

[Canadian Wind]

The ridiculous weather continues. It's not 'normal' for it to get this cold this time of year over here. All this week, the overnight temps are going to be below 10c (50f) with some night hovering just above freezing.

My Muscovy ducklings are a month old, and are still covered in down. Should I bring them inside at night or will their foster-momma (whom I think is doing a good job with them) going to keep them warm? I don't want to mess up their natural adaptation by making them warmer than it will be outside during the day (Thursday is supposed to be 10c as a high).

Which also brings to mind the eggs I have incubating (hatching!!!) right now. Am I going to be stuck with ducklings inside for the winter? I did not anticipate such cold weather so soon, last year I didn't need a heater until October. I've been using one at night since mid-August this year.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am thinking your bator babies are going to be inside. Your outdoor babies adapt much quicker. Are the ones outside nestling close to mama when time to sleep for the night?
The only thing I did differently was I kept my Muscovy ducklings that were with mama from being able to get into water and get soaked. Even when hatching in spring we can get a cold front come through and mine did fine with mama. Best thing to do is observe them to see how they are reacting to the temps.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I am thinking your bator babies are going to be inside. Your outdoor babies adapt much quicker. Are the ones outside nestling close to mama when time to sleep for the night?
The only thing I did differently was I kept my Muscovy ducklings that were with mama from being able to get into water and get soaked. Even when hatching in spring we can get a cold front come through and mine did fine with mama. Best thing to do is observe them to see how they are reacting to the temps.

The outdoor babies sleep in a crate with Momma, although it's starting to get a bit crowded in there! I'm glad I traded the extra three now, I don't think I'd have enough room.

I swear, my trailer is turning into a barn. Going to get a sign to hang over the door that reads CHRIS' ANIMAL SANCTUARY! If all five ducklings hatch, it's going to get a wee bit smelly and noisy. Thankfully, Welshies are a 'light' breed. Maybe they can fight with the dogs and cats over who gets to sleep next to me in the bed!

 

[Canadian Wind]

@New duck mommy 2021 Do you ever sleep?!? I know you're in Alberta, but you were up in the middle of my night and now at this time. That was like... 5 hours ago?

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I already feel your pain of babies in the house all winter
I hatched my first set end of December and I had to keep them in all winter till march
Never ever again lol
I have a big basement and they have a their own bedroom as well as I put a kid pool in my laundry room and they would get a bath everyday
I’m almost done the outdoor coop and I’m getting worried as well as it’s getting cold here and they are all still in the basement at night but at least they can be out in the day
I worry about the temp drop as well as they need to be outside to get use to it and not the warm house
I’m in Alberta

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

@New duck mommy 2021 Do you ever sleep?!? I know you're in Alberta, but you were up in the middle of my night and now at this time. That was like... 5 hours ago?

I do sleep haha
But I was working on Halloween decorations so I was up late

 

[Miss Lydia]

The outdoor babies sleep in a crate with Momma, although it's starting to get a bit crowded in there! I'm glad I traded the extra three now, I don't think I'd have enough room.

I swear, my trailer is turning into a barn. Going to get a sign to hang over the door that reads CHRIS' ANIMAL SANCTUARY! If all five ducklings hatch, it's going to get a wee bit smelly and noisy. Thankfully, Welshies are a 'light' breed. Maybe they can fight with the dogs and cats over who gets to sleep next to me in the bed!

When I had to bring our Muscovy duckling inside because mama wanted to kill it. He slept in a large dog crate but before we turned out the light I'd put down a couple of heavy towels and put him in the bed with us. That was such a sweet time. he is now 11 and still loves to cuddle along with bites lol

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

When I had to bring our Muscovy duckling inside because mama wanted to kill it. He slept in a large dog crate but before we turned out the light I'd put down a couple of heavy towels and put him in the bed with us. That was such a sweet time. he is now 11 and still loves to cuddle along with bites lol

It’s those boys
When they imprint they also think they own you

 

[Canadian Wind]

Is it just me, or are the drakes so much friendlier? (when it's not mating season)

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Is it just me, or are the drakes so much friendlier? (when it's not mating season)

Two of my boys will run up to me to be held
None of my girls do this neither do my other drakes they got way less attention as babies
But @BelovedBirds has 2 girls that love to be cuddled and held. I think it really depends if you get them to imprint