I have 4 four week old ducklings. I am really hoping to move them outside as soon as possible and they are in the coop (totally and utterly predator proof with a run attached)(but the door to the run is locked)as of now. I pit tons of blankets in it and hung up a flashlight and everything so they could see and everything is all set. It is almost night (7:50) and I'm having second thoughts because even though it is 61 degrees right now it might be 47 later tonight and there is a chance of rain. I can't give them a heat lamp becaue I can't get a wire to run all the way out to the coop (their coop is weather proofed too) Will they be ok?
I am using an orange outdoor extension cord to put the heat lamp in their coop. You might be able to do that. They like a light in their coop.
I'd think they'd be fine. I don't think they'll need the flashlight, it's natural for it to get dark at night. The coop has solid walls so they would be protected from wind and rain. I was surprised by how hardy my ducks are. They won't freeze to death at 50 degrees, they can snuggle and I'm sure they have feathers by now right?
they dont have all their feathers yet:/ only some and thanks for the help everyone! I'm just a worried mother duckling so I put them back into their garage cage with nice warm towels and their heat lamp, and they settled right in. I'm going to let them out in the coop+ run just during the daytime until I find a more favourable weather forecast, and if there isnt one by this weekend, I'll just move them out. Thanks guys!
4 weeks is a bit early to be without a lamp at night. I'd give them at least 2 more weeks for nightime heat. Then perhaps put some straw down as bedding and they should be warm enough.
My little runners ducks are 3 weeks old today. The temps. have been in the 60's at night for 2 nights now and I turned the heat light off. They are doing just fine but friday the temps. are suppose to drop back in the 50's for about a week so I will turn the heat light back on. As long as the nighttime temps. are in the 60's they will be fine. I also have straw in their coop.
