Need help with three wild ducklings

[Caincando1]

Well the good news is after 9 days they are still alive and doing great. They took to the starter crumbles after I made some into a paste and smeared it around the box. They are eating, drinking and pooping like crazy. Which leads me to the bad news. They sure are messy and it is a pain to clean the box with them being so spastic. I'm wondering when can I move them outside? I think they have to be feathered out before they can be outside without heat? What if I moved them outside with heat? I have a big rabbit hutch that I could put a heat light in the enclosed part. Would that work?

 

[1lpoock]

That will work as long as it gets up to 85 degrees. Also, it has to be secure, they can fit through very small spaces.

 

[bufforp89]

That would work fine as long as your sure they are warm enough. This time of year I personally dont brood anything in the house, too messy so I set up tote brooders in the aisle of my coop. I also have 4 rabbit hutches that I use for ducklings as they have a wire botton on half. Makes things alot easier and you will enjoy your ducklings more!

 

[Caincando1]

They are moved! The wire is small so they can't get through. I was worried about their little feet on the wire bottom but they seem to be getting around it just fine. I have a 75w light bulb inside with some straw on the floor. Considering how hot it is here I have no doubt it's 85 inside and keeping them nice and warm.

 

[Caincando1]

Update.

I've had them nearly a month now. All three are doing well and eating crumbles just fine. I'm wondering if I can get rid of the light now or do they still need to be kept really warm. It's the middle of summer and the outside weather is plenty warm I would think. I'm not sure how long I need to keep them before I can release them. I am a little worried that they won't know how to fend for themselves in the wild after being raised on crumbles.

 

[katharinad]

I don't think they need the heat lamp as long as the temps are above 60 degrees at this age. I quit the lamp on my regular ducks at 2 weeks of age. You should have them outdoors in a fenced in area so they learn to forage for food in the daytime. Lock them up at night. They eventually will start to fly and stay around a little bit longer. At some point they will take off and not come back, but that is good. That means they are ready for nature. You may have them for another 2-4 months. Be aware that they will come back to their birth place to breed.
Katharina

 

[Caincando1]

I had no idea they would come back to their birth place to breed. I guess I'll have to deal with that when it happens. I'm hoping they will take up residence on the creek a mile over from my house.