How long to keep my ducks in the brooder?

[jujubean99]

How long should I keep my ducks in the indoor brooder before moving them down outside and letting them loose on my lake? How long do they need a heat lamp for outside? I live in the pacific northwest, so it is generally fairly cold, but summer is approaching!

 

[duckyfromoz]

It will depend alot on the temperature where you live- But also they breed of ducks you have- As some do grow and feather up quicker than others. I know many people are tempted to put them outside as early as possible because of the smell and mess with water.
If you are allowing them free access to a lake as soon as they are outside it would be safer to leave them inside for longer until they are mostly feathered.

But you could still put them outside sooner if they were to be kept away from the lake in a pen - But if you are still experiencing cooler weather- then a heat lamp would still be required at night until they have the majority of their feathers grown.