In the brooder

[mikki080]

My khaki Campbell ducklings are 2 weeks old, currently living in a plastic tote. They have a caged area and a coop outside (pics below) but haven’t been in it yet. When can they be done with this plastic tote and live outside? I'm in western PA where the temps are in the 80s/90s.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since they haven't been in it yet I'd begin to introduce them to it not just put them in cold turkey. That fenced thing looks nice but can anything get through the fencing or dig under? are there windows and good ventilation in the coop? What are your night time temps? day time sound good.

 

[mikki080]

Since they haven't been in it yet I'd begin to introduce them to it not just put them in cold turkey. That fenced thing looks nice but can anything get through the fencing or dig under? are there windows and good ventilation in the coop? What are your night time temps? day time sound good.

I haven’t finished securing it, but plan to make sure nothing can fit under it or through it by using a layer of hardware cloth in addition to the wire that’s on it already and burying some of the hardware cloth underground. It’s 67 out right now at 1am so I guess night temps are a little chilly for them still. Once we have it fully secured, we’ll start putting them inside and sitting in it with them so they get used to it. The coop has around 10 2 inch circular holes for circulation

 

[Miss Lydia]

I haven’t finished securing it, but plan to make sure nothing can fit under it or through it by using a layer of hardware cloth in addition to the wire that’s on it already and burying some of the hardware cloth underground. It’s 67 out right now at 1am so I guess night temps are a little chilly for them still. Once we have it fully secured, we’ll start putting them inside and sitting in it with them so they get used to it. The coop has around 10 2 inch circular holes for circulation

Another thing you might want to check while you getting it ready for them is how hot the coop may get during the summer place a thermonitor inside. You might want to make more ventilation. It's important in cold months and hot months to have good ventilation so the moisture they make has a way of escaping or ammonia oder will build up from their poops.