Raising Ducklings Questions

[SummerBird225]

Hi everyone!
I'm ordering ducklings for the first time and have a few questions.
1. After they are a few weeks old and don't need high temperatures anymore, would it hurt them to have the temperature go up into the nineties for part of the day? I live in Florida and my garage may get hot during the day. It's the best space that I have to put them, but I'm wondering if the temperature fluctuations and heat would be a problem.
2. how big of a space do they need and how many weeks should they be kept in a brooder or enclosure before they could survive on their own free ranging around my pond? I intend to still feed them, but I'm wondering about how long it takes them to feather out enough to live outdoors, and also just how big of a brooder setup I need. I could potentially have a temporary coop of some sort for them outside, but it would be easier if they could live in the garage until they are ready to face the world on their own.
3. What hatchery would you recommend for ducklings? I've heard good things about Metzer's and Murray McMurray so far.
4. I'm looking at ordering Buff (Orpington) ducks. From your experience or knowledge, is this a good breed for kids to be a pet sort of duck?
Thank you so much in advance!

 

[SilverBirds]

1. Ducks can overheat easily but as long as they have access to cool water and shade they will do just fine.

2. Ducklings grow FAST. Depending on how many ducklings you get affects the space size. 1-1.5 square feet per duckling is the general rule of thumb but bigger is better. At about 4 weeks old they will no longer need heat (maybe even before that). I wouldn't let them swim in your pond unsupervised until they are waterproof at about 10 weeks old.

When they are older, build them a coop so they have a safe place to sleep. The minimum should be 4" per bird but again, bigger is better.

3. I've never bought from Metzer or Murray but I've heard good things about both.

4. I've only had cayugas before but buffs, cayugas, runners, and pekins seem to be the "pet friendly" breeds.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[SummerBird225]

Thank you @SilverBirds!!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I raise Pekins on the side. The aren't small. Oh yeah, and I'm in FL.

4-6 will fit in a 2 sq ft brooder box for about 2 weeks. Then it starts looking crowded. During the day after 10 days, I put them out in a PVC "run" of about 24 sq ft (up to 8 ducklings) if its not raining, and its not too windy.

By three weeks, I have them in my grow out pen and attached run - its larger than any recommend - so I won't offer dimensions, since its usually used by two different hatchings at the same time.

By 8 weeks, they are fully feathered and ready to join the adult flock.*

*Assuming late March to late October.

I have the last hatch of ducks in the grow out pen now, where they've been since almost 3 weeks. They will join the main flock as soon as yesterday's hatching of chicks is ready to go into that space, in three weeks.

 

[SummerBird225]

Thank you, @U_Stormcrow!!