ducks, water, coop, night

[ritzquacker]

We have three ducklings and six chicks, a coop and a big enclosed run. I plan on housing the ducks and chicks together in the coop and run. Is food inside the coop a requirement at night time? What about water? If so, any clever ideas as to keep the water in the container and not all over the coop?
Also, since the run is completely secured, at what age can ducks and chicks go outside, permanently. They are all a month old tomorrow and have spent most days outside since a week ago. It's sad to see them in a box when they have experienced nearly 600 square feet of outdoors! We live near Santa Cruz CA so frosty nights are no longer a concern and I can always put the lamp in the coop....
Thanks!

 

[rainplace]

they do not need food and water at night... thank goodness!

 

[jessiduck]

You might want to leave some water but food they'll get in the morning.
They should be good and ready to go into the coop! As long as its in the high 50-60's at night, they should be fine!

 

[Amiga]

I'm more of a hovering duck mom, so we did not go without food at night till 8 weeks.

The night shelter is in two parts. The Duck Inn is a 4'x8' double walled house, and no food or water goes in there.

The Veranda is covered top bottom and sides with half inch hardware cloth, and is attached to the Duck Inn. The floor of the Veranda has an inch or two of sand, topped with sawdust (and some straw the ducks drag out from the house). The Veranda is where food and water are at night.

Even in New England, some of our nights can be quite warm, so I like to have cool fresh water in pans big enough for my runners to stand in if they need to, to cool off.

 

[jessiduck]

I personally agree with Amiga's method, but if you want to leave them without food I don't think it would harm them

.

 

[rainplace]

Doh, for some reason I did not see the age of the ducks... DUCKLINGS! I like to hover too, but not so much as Amiga. I take 24/7 access to food and water away at 6 weeks, which is the same time I've weaned them from their heat lamp. After that they only get food and water during daylight hours and never where they sleep.