Duck Newbie Here.....

[MamaSusu]

Hi there, I am new to ducks, and they are new to me!

I have three Pekin ducklings, around three weeks old. They are adorable and sweet, and they are STINKY. I change their bedding all the time - sometimes twice a day - as they are currently in my mudroom! The weather here is off and on. It snowed yesterday and today will get to the fifties.

My questions:

1) Is it OK to let them run outside in this weather? They are in a protected goat pen with my pregnant goat, who finds them amusing albeit a bit annoying. Or is it too cold? I watch them and let them back in if they huddle, but I don't want to make a big mistake.

2) They have some feathers.....they shy away from the heat lamp. There is such varying info on when to let them outside. I will be building them a 'nook' in the goat pen so they can have their own space. My husband is torn on whether or not to just stick them in with the chickens - we have around 20 chickens.

I'm new to ducks! The info out there on the 'net is very hard to follow, so I came here to ask the pros. Thanks in advance! This is my first post, but I cannot wait to get more involved!

~ S

 

[schellie69]

first

from Kansas. I would say that unless you put them outside in a "brooder" area with a heat lamp they should stay inside I have my new chicks in the new coop in a brooder with a heat lamp and they stay nice and warm no drafts and they are protected from predators and the weather. I hope this helps I don't have ducks yet but would love to get some. I am going to see what others post.

 

[MamaSusu]

Thanks for the welcome!

Kansas is lovely...I lived in Overland Park for a bit. I'm loving the ducks as they seem heartier than chicks....we shall see!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I wouldn't put them in with the chickens either they are too young and chickens can be mean. If they aren't completely feathered I would make sure they have heat.

 

[Duckles]

I put my ducklings outside at about 4 weeks, we made a big "brooder" out of a wooden squash bin, probably about 4ftx4ft across, and 2 ft high, covered it with plywood and hung the heatlamp in there. My stepdaughter and I did the

happy dance to have those stinky creatures out of the house. The bin is right outside the door with food and water in it. They are perfectly warm out there with the heat lamp and we're in MA. When it is warm we let them run around the yard for a while in the afternoon. I wouldn't put them outside full time just yet... but I'm new to ducks too.

 

[MamaSusu]

I hope to join you in that happy dance soon.....P.U!

 

[Anya_K]

I am new too. Mine are about a month old now and I have to change their bedding twice a week. I live in FLA so the weather is good for them to be outside.. BUt I keep them on the porch in a Large dog crate at night with a heat lamp.

Im building them a coop this weekend so they can stay outside permanently because I am literally up to my eyeballs in duck poo!