ducklings growing too big for storage bin

[mega]

My 2 ducklings are almost two weeks old. They are in a storage bin in the garage with wood chips and a heat lamp (that isn't on all the time) but it's too small of a home now that they are growing. Can't put them outside until their feathers come in. What should I do?

 

[gal5150]

Do you have an extra bath or shower stall? Mine moved into a large shower stall from the time they outgrew the storage bin brooder to the time they transitioned to outdoors full time. Made cleaning super easy and I found that as long as I kept their water contained, it wasn't smelly at all. The stink seems to come most from wet feed. Feed was put well away from water station so they had to go to and from, and it kept the stall pretty clean. Here's a pic of the water station I made. Worked perfectly.

 

[mega]

Do you have an extra bath or shower stall? Mine moved into a large shower stall from the time they outgrew the storage bin brooder to the time they transitioned to outdoors full time. Made cleaning super easy and I found that as long as I kept their water contained, it wasn't smelly at all. The stink seems to come most from wet feed. Feed was put well away from water station so they had to go to and from, and it kept the stall pretty clean. Here's a pic of the water station I made. Worked perfectly.

That is a great idea!! They were born on the 6th. Do you think I can put them in the tub now without the heat lamp?

 

[gal5150]

Depends on your ambient temperature, feathering, etc but at nearly 12 days old I'd say no, they still likely need the extra heat. I hung the heat lamp from the shower head, cord draped over the top of the stall glass and used a heavy duty clip on the stall glass rail to raise or lower it by adjusting the cord length as needed. This was last spring and I'm fairly certain I recall offering the additional heat until week 5 or 6....though they likely didn't need it that long. I also closed the AC vent in the bathroom so no drafts, etc.

 

[chickens really]

My Ducklings have been outside since they were two weeks old...I lock them into their Coop at night...I have shavings in the Coop with food and water...The Ducklings I just got in trade for my Chickens were hatched outside and lived on a pond..Zero shelter and were all doing great....
Ducklings do not require heat for as long as Chicks...The hatch I have in my Brooder right now are moving out to my garage brooder today...They are a week old and pretty much off heat....All my Ducklings are happy outside...

 

[CarleeAnn]

We moved our two ducks to an extra long storage bin once they outgrew their baby one, now that on is just for transportation!
We got it at walmart for around $20, and it was a great investment. I do clean it every day. ( Now every other day now that they spend half the day outside.)

In the picture, the one on the right was the baby one, the far left is what we ended up buying. It almost runs the length of our queen size bed.