Buying ducks in the winter?

[Audreyschickens]

Hi! I’m hoping to be buying ducks very soon and I’m hoping for them to be laying in summer! But, is it unsafe for me to buy them this time of year? They will be in a brooder in my basement for the first 9ish weeks and then they will move outside. My main concern is that it will be too cold in their shelter once they move out there. It is a resin shed and since we live in Indiana it can get very cold at night. Should I add a heat lamp for the first few weeks? I’ve never owned ducks before so any help would be very appreciated!

Audrey

 

[Cheyenne97]

As long as they are feathered before they go outside you should be fine. I’m in Kentucky and just put my newly feathered chicks outside.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

As long as they are feathered before they go outside you should be fine. I’m in Kentucky and just put my newly feathered chicks outside.

X2

 

[Miss Lydia]

And be sure to take them out on days that aren’t too cold and windy to acclimate them to the out doors if you start when they are a couple to 3 weeks old just for a few minutes at a time they will be much easier to acclimate to temps . Nice days when sun is shining and temps are in 40’s should be fine just watch they don’t chill. Maybe start at 5 mins and work up putting them in a box or laundry basket lined with a towel so they warm faster when you are bringing them in. My mamas bring their ducklings out at 2-3 weeks but they are always there to let their little ones climb up under for warm up.

 

[townchicks]

Are you having them shipped to you? I would think that would be more risky in winter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you having them shipped to you? I would think that would be more risky in winter.

Me too!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I was actually thinking of buying some ducklings too in February. Now that i won't travel anywhere for the two to three months i might be able to get another group of rascals started. Problem is that the ducks i'd like to have the most, the Magpies, are either only available starting March, straight run only or the minimum purchase is 15 ducklings.
Maybe five Buffs or Layers…
Having a heat source in the outside pen is a must in spring-time if you live in IN! Nights will be cold. And there is one thing you need to watch out: There might be a straggler duck, the one that seems to be day-dreaming, eating less than the others and being a little less mature and less feathered out as the others. I had such a duckling last August and during a cold-snap (50s) it died of hypothermia. Be prepared to take them back in if necessary!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I'm in Georgia and I wouldn't do it now! I know it's winter and everyone is bored and stuff but keeping them warm is so important. Why not just wait a bit? Spring/summer will be here before you know it!

You can prepare for it by getting your supplies, feeders, shavings for the brooder, food etc together. Get a plan on what to do with them once they grow out of the brooder. I used a kiddie pool with big cardboard pieces from Sam's club around it so they can't get out. Then I had to go to a bigger pool and more cardboard. These are things you can do to get ready for the big day. So much to do plus read up on it, watch YouTube videos

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[chickens really]

Hello. I raised Duckling in winter and early spring. They need a heat lamp in one corner of the Brooder and one area that's colder. As they feather out you can turn off the lamp during the day if temps are not terribly cold and turn of at night. Tougher than people think..