my six ducklings are a month old. It still gets a bit cold here at night (like 5 degrees Celsius) and they aren’t fully feathered yet. So they are still living in a tote in my living room that they are pretty much outgrowing. They have been outside during the day on nice days but brought in at night. Today was 10 degrees but rainy and so I kept them in. Am I being to over protective? Could they go outside permanently at a month old with the lower temps?
That’s low temps, not even adults wander out in that.You could build s coop and put them in it at about 5 weeks with s heat lamp but don’t open any doors or let them out.Whats the birds are atleast 2 months old you could try and let them venture out into the run.
I had the exact same situation last month. Same temperatures at night, and same duckling age. I decided at 4-5 weeks old, with a heat lamp in the coop because of the 30-40 degree F temps, extra hay for insulation, and a tarp over the coop to keep out drafts, my babies would be good. I learned the next few days when it was like 35 degrees and sleeting outside while they were wandering the yard that they couldn't care less about the temperatures. I know first-hand the mess they make inside and the tremendous work it is just to keep things dry, and I would say they are ready to go outside. Visit my ducklings living outside thread for advice that I got in your situation. Good luck! Have fun with them!! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/urgent-ducks-living-outside.1308134/
My Ducklings are living outside and have been since 4 weeks and our overnight lows are 5C here too. They go up to bed at night in a pine shaving filled house. They definitely are strong Birds..
If you have a shelter for them they should be fine. Cold wind and rain is what you don't want them in. Mine are in a coop at night and outside during the day. Temps in the 50-60's at night.