First time duck owner - concerned about them going out too young in cooler night temps..

I keep mine in the house for about a month, unless its ungodly hot outside. I run a 100ft outdoor extension cord to keep a heat lamp on them at night. Its so worth not having stinky duck babies in the house! Once they are feathered in things will be much easier for ya.

We have a 150' extension cord but that isn't going to make it down to where the ducks will have their permanent home at the lagoon. I have a little grow-out coop that I can put them in in a few weeks. I have guineas in there at the moment waiting for them to become a few weeks older before letting them out to roam. Babies are the hardest :)
 
I'm afraid you'll need to keep them inside or somewhere that they can have access to heat for a while. At 6-8 weeks old they will have enough feathering to withstand 50 degree lows but will require heat until they are completely feathered at around 12 weeks (per storey's guide) if temps are cold at night. If your lows are already in the 40's they will not be able to go outside. They will not require heat 24/7 after about 2 weeks if they are inside but nighttime temps can't get that low. A guide is start at 95 degrees as day olds and lower the temp 5 degrees per week until it matches the outdoor temp.
I have vowed to never raise ducklings in the fall again, unless they are being raised by their mom. Takes too long to get them outside.

They are in my house without any heat on them now and doing well... Our day temps outside are in the high 70s to low 80s right now. Maybe in a few weeks, I could take them out during the day and then bring them back in at night.. this will get me motivated to work on their house/run :)
 
They are in my house without any heat on them now and doing well... Our day temps outside are in the high 70s to low 80s right now. Maybe in a few weeks, I could take them out during the day and then bring them back in at night.. this will get me motivated to work on their house/run :)
Those temps seem about right for 2 weeks old during the day. Just make sure they have shade and sun available.

Or put them in your garage in a brooder - Playpens are your best friend lol.
 

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