Ducklings

[Jonaboo 16]

How old do ducklings need to be before they can live outside ?

 

[Amiga]

They need to be fully feathered, in a place that is safe (forgive me for raising my "voice") SAFE from predators, heat, cold, toxic materials. Some feel they are fine outdoors when fairly small. In some cases that is true, but I suspect in those cases there is already a very sturdy, safe well-equipped shed or barn involved.

Because this question is so very often asked by people who are having a hard time managing the ducks' water, may I ask if cleaning the brooder is becoming a problem? How old are they?

If the answer to the first question is yes, take a look at 70%cocoa and tweetysvoice brooder and watering station.

Please Please do not put the ducklings out hastily because of indoor cleanup problems.

 

[DeCanard]

I put mine out during nice days in a run at about 4 weeks old, and outside all the time with a heat lamp around 6 weeks. I removed the heat lamp when they were about fully feathered. If you can't have a heat lamp out there, I would just put them in a run on warm sunny days, and bring them in at night. Make sure the run is safe from predators, too. That might help keep the bedding a bit cleaner

 

[Jonaboo 16]

they are 6 weeks old

 

[furbabymum]

Mine have been outside since I got them but I have a massive barn that the brooder is in. I just released them with the ducks this weekend at 5-6 weeks.