putting ducks outside

[btjnark]

I've read the books and I know what the typical recommendation is...not looking for that. What I'm looking for is some real world experience/observations that will help me out.

Despite the best planning, I've ended up with 11 ducklings in the brooder still and my 50 broiler chicks are coming next week. I have neither the money nor the space for an additional indoor brooder. The ducks are 3 weeks old with no heat lamp, in a brooder in the walkout basement. It stays about 55/60 down there. The ducks do NOT appear to have started feathering. The weather is not co-operating and although the next week is supposed to be drier and 70's during the day, nights here will still be in the 40's. We do not have access to outdoor electricity. So there it is in a nutshell.

Can I put these guys into a fenced outdoor enclosure with no heat, and with a small enclosed ducks house (that will need to be closed and locked each night) without losing them to the cold? I'm looking at using a large dog house with a secure door added for a week or two until I can build them a nice sized year-round space...

 

[heatherscreations1969]

I put mine outside in a small chicken hut at 4 weeks and I had 8 Indian Runners and 2 Campbells, they keep each other warm because they make a big pile together

Oh and I am in the UK where it rains ALOT and never gets above 21 C daytime and 12 C evenings, so I am sure that your 11 ducklings can keep each other warm.....just check on them a couple of times the first night out, you may find that like mine they were happy to get outside instead of being n a stuffy house

H

 

[Britesea]

what about using a hot water bottle, in case it drops a little too much?