Can I keep my ducks in the cold?

[mypoorducky]

Hello all. I have some ducks, about a month old. They're about halfway done with growing out their feathers. Since I still lack any sort of proper feed at the moment, I give them much more access to forage in my backyard, however I worry it may be too cold for them. It's very cold outside, not quite freezing but I do need to wear my jacket if I want to stay out for a while.

My parents insist their feather coat is enough to keep them warm, but they've said the same thing when they were mere ducklings with only their downy feathers, and I'm pretty sure they'll take any excuse to keep them out the house.

When I let them out while cleaning out their home thing, they rush right into our laundry room whenever I keep the door open, and don't come out even for some food(or whatever I tried to substitute for feed) and water. Not a good sign there.

I'd like to keep my ducks out to forage to help meet their needs, but I'm worried it's too cold for them to go out.

 

[Isadora]

If they are not fully feathered, it is likely too cold, especially with the behavior you have seen.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Down feather is the equivalent of the filling/fluff/stuffing in your coat without the outer shell to protect from the elements. If you were to take a winter coat, cut holes out of the outer liner/shell and then go outside for long periods of time that is how your ducklings feel.

 

[mypoorducky]

Thank you all! I'll try to keep them inside more, until they grow all the way up. Unfortunately, I can't really keep them inside fully. Because of their smell, I have to keep them in a box on the balcony. It's slightly warmer, but the only thing insulating them is whatever feathers they have and a few cm of plastic. I'll try to add in some sort of bedding, but I am not aware of any alternatives from the store brought variety, besides newspapers, which I don't have.

 

[Isadora]

Even giving them some old clothing or blankets you don't care about and could wash after they get pooped on is better than nothing. Where are these ducks going to live after they are grown? I'm assuming they don't have a coop or anything?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why don't you have proper feed yet? What are you feeding them?

 

[Isadora]

Why don't you have proper feed yet? What are you feeding them?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-replacement-they-wont-eat-otherwise.1499448/

 

[Aunt Angus]

Can you bring in bits of whatever it is they eat outside?

And I use towels for my ducks when I have to crate them for whatever reason. Could you use paper towels, strips of paper, old t-shirts, clean shop towels, tree leaves? Do you have a heating pad for when they're on the balcony? Those poor duckies will be cold. You're going to have to get creative.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Honestly, I'd just deal with the smell. If you clean very frequently, you can prevent too much stink. I had 4 ducklings in a brooder in my livingroom last winter. I cleaned that sucker 3-4 times a day - once before work, 2-3 times after I got home.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

When the weather changes to fall, the foraging quality is limited. These ducklings need proper feed and housing. Honestly, I know this has been suggested before so you're not hearing anything new, find these ducklings a new home where they can be properly cared for.