Duckling question!!

[intp]

When can ducklings go outside?

We have 4 ducklings who are about a month old. They still have no feathers. They have a large enough pen and they seem to be having fun, but honestly, they are stinking up the joint!!! When can they go outside? Our temps here range from as low as 20's at night to 60's in the daytime. Even if they were outside just for the warmest part of the day that will still provide us with some smell-free time. Any advice?

 

[BrahmaMama]

It is my understanding that they need to be Fully feathered before going outside...20 degrees is still too cold if they are only in down. Shoot, my chicks stayed in my basement for 6-8 weeks, I believe, When they did go out to the coop, they had a heat lamp to get under.

 

[Katy]

I'm not sure what to tell you. I've never had any ducklings this early in the year. I've put mine out before they were feathered, but that's been in late spring when it was pretty warm out already. Ducklings need less heat than a chick, but those temps are pretty cold for them unless you've got a place to make a brooder box for them in a building. Do you have a building you could make them a place in?

 

[Dodgegal79]

I made mine a little house with a heat lamp in it and allowed them out in the day when it was warmer out. They would go back in the house when they got cold and at night to sleep under the light. I put them out at about 2 -3 weeks old, they were stinking up the house.

 

[Sandman]

thank you for your help everyone. We put the ducklings in the garage with a brooder light over them. It has been staying warmer here and the garage is pretty protected (and of course enclosed). I'm going to keep a close eye on them though. The house smells great now!!!

susan

 

[greyfields]

I get them on grass ASAP. It's just healthier. In the Summer, they can get out at 3 weeks. But, 20 at night is too cold without a shelther/heat lamp.