I bought an outdoor house for my ducks...when can they live in it?!

[joduckmom]

I have 2 ducks that are 4-5 weeks and living in my garage for these couple of days because the temp dropped and it's raining. They stayed in their new outdoor house 2 days ago and seemed to really enjoy it but I had to take them back into the garage because it was in the low 40's and seemed too cold for them. When can they permanently live in their outdoor housing? It has a run and also an indoor area for them to sleep and stay inside. They still have down on the tops of them but they are getting so big and (like others have said) smelly! My sister can't take the smell anymore and wants them out. What temperatures are safe for them? Thanks so much!!

 

[nayeli]

When they have their adult feathers I think thats around 2-3 months.

 

[nange08]

Maybe move them in the outdoor house but provide a heat lamp during the cold nights. I did that for a few weeks until they were 2 months old.

 

[Amiga]

Taking a look at this from the other side - consider these. We had eleven runner ducklings in the house for three months. No bad smells.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

Ducklings need to be safe, warm enough (90˚F first week, dropping 5 degrees a week until the brooder is the same temperature as the rest of their world), with water and food 24/7 the first 8 weeks (there is some variation on that last recommendation but several of us agree on this).