Ducklings outside

[newbabyducks322]

My ducklings are about one month old. They already spend their days outside and have no need for a heating light when they come back inside at night. They love my one-year-old duck, and she loves them too. I was wondering if it would be okay to have them all start being together at night in the coop. I know that it gets around the 50s at night, but if they are all together they can keep each other warm(?) I wanna know peoples opinions on this to help me understand if I should wait another week or so before I let them be fully outside ducks.

 

[lomine]

It depends. If they are mostly feathered in they should okay. If they are still mostly down I would give them more time. If that's the case, you can encourage faster feather growth by giving them more access to swimming water.

 

[chickens really]

All my Ducklings are out in the coop at night...Mine range from 3 to 5 weeks old...They do great....I still provide feed and water though....

 

[chickens really]

Swim time does not encourage feather growth at all...It stimulates the oil glad to produce the oil they need to water proof their feathers...Colder temps encourage feather growth.....

 

[lomine]

Actually, more swimming does encourage feather growth. I have read it from multiple sources and have personal experience. Mine were almost completely feathered at 4 weeks in late August when the temps were mostly above 90 and I had more trouble keeping their brooder cool enough instead of warm enough. They swam at least once a day, usually 2 or 3 times. If it was dependent on the temps alone they would have taken longer to feather out.

I have seen many post here where ducklings aren't feathering out as fast as they should. While there are many factors involved, in many of these posts they didn't let the ducklings have much, if any, swim time.

 

[chickens really]

Anyways....Glad your happy with your results....
Only know what I know.....

Happy Canada Day Canadians.....

 

[newbabyducks322]

All my Ducklings are out in the coop at night...Mine range from 3 to 5 weeks old...They do great....I still provide feed and water though....

How many ducklings do you/did you have?

 

[chickens really]

Right now I have 4...Two Call Ducklings and Two Silver Appleyard....

 

[newbabyducks322]

Right now I have 4...Two Call Ducklings and Two Silver Appleyard....

And they go outside? How cold does it get at night? And how old are they? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to see our similarities to know if my ducklings would be okay outside.

 

[chickens really]

Here it's only +10C over night......They do great locked in their Coop...I still provide feed and a covered container if water for the night feeding....They do great!......