Moved ducklings to outside pen(pics!)-when to free range?

[Miss Ducky]

I moved my ducklings to an outdoor pen the other day. (About 3 weeks) Just thought I'd share some pics. So far they are loving it-especially the access to the pond all day! At night I lock them in the house to protect them from predators. Their second night and already they go inside by themselves! The pen is not very predator proof, (Already a painted turtle and a frog found their way in!) it's mostly there to confine them and protect them from hawks during the daytime. When they get older I will free-range them. I told my dad that I thought it would be about two weeks before we could give them the run of the yard/pond, but I'm not really sure. What do you guys think? I'm thinking they will be fully feathered in a week or so. They will still be put in the house every night, just the pen won't be there.

Just because they're outside doesn't mean less bonding time! They come in every day for snuggles! (That and I obsessively check on them in the middle of the night and every hour of the day....)

 

[bock]

Very cute!

I think you should wait at least until they are 7 weeks to keep them safe.

 

[katharinad]

I would say 2 months of age is sufficient. I had mine in my fenced in backyard until they were 4 weeks old. Then I herded them everyday into the 1+ acre fenced in yard and they have been there since. We later plan on having them go into the field and meadow by themselves, but I want them to be at least 6 month before they are allowed to do so. That area is over 22 acres and fenced.

 

[4hducklover]

I really like that pen! good job!

 

[Miss Ducky]

Thanks-but I actually had nothing to do with it. My wonderful dad build the pen and the house!

Thanks daddy! (And he can't wait until the ducks have the run of the pond and will eat all the algae!)

 

[Miss Ducky]

Are you sure I should wait that long? Their run isn't very big, and they are growing very fast!