*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[Miss Lydia]

I don't have Runners so I feel other than what I've already said I'd like to get @Amiga opinion since she has Runners. I just feel that is too cool for these ducklings to be outside in rain and temps.

 

[Amiga]

So, at a month old they need to be at around 90 minus 4 times 5 is 70F. That felty,woolly "fur" is nice, but I don't think it would stand up to the elements.

I think it's too soon to have them in 40-50F environment. They are still developing, and I don't like to stress their systems. My theory is that if they divert energy to staying warm they won't get optimal development. It may not kill them, but I like to give ducklings the best head start possible.

Did I understand the question, by the way?

 

[AimToMisbehave]

Yep the mallard (or grey) runner is Malcolm(the Mallard). Lol. He is rather handsome! He is doing great. That whole prolapsed penis thing wasn't any fun at all. In The bathtub for a month, daily application of neosporin etc, but he's doing great now. Your description of duck behavior is perfect!!! Feed me, feed me, feed me!!! But DO NOT TOUCH ME!!!! Lol. The little blue(grey) one in my profile pic is Gertie and she used to let me pet her she was hand raised, but quit letting me do that at a few months old I think.

So handsome! I would love to add a couple mallard/greys to my flock! And a couple penciled, and some trouts, and maybe a white or two... a whole Runner Rainbow!!!

Just my over protective opinion since they aren't feathered in I would not want to take them outside especially with rain they can chill pretty quick so ideal temp for them right now would be 70*[ Might ought to bring the others inside and let them meet.] Just kidding.

I've been considering it, believe me! I'd have to go on a cleaning rampage to make the garage safe for the bigguns, though, and since the littles are in a big inflatable pool, I wonder if they'd be able to see each other enough to really socialize? I was planning on using wire fencing, so they could all see each other easily even if they weren't curious enough to stick their heads over the divider (which is what they'd have to do with the pool brooder). But it's just so cold! I'm so torn over the whole thing... no more fall ducklings for me! I've learned my lesson.

So, at a month old they need to be at around 90 minus 4 times 5 is 70F.  That felty,woolly "fur" is nice, but I don't think it would stand up to the elements.

I think it's too soon to have them in 40-50F environment.  They are still developing, and I don't like to stress their systems.  My theory is that if they divert energy to staying warm they won't get optimal development.  It may not kill them, but I like to give ducklings the best head start possible.

Did I understand the question, by the way? :/

I know it's WAY too early for them to be living outside, but I was hoping a short trip out to meet the rest of the flock wouldn't be too stressful... should I wait longer? Or try to bring the big ones inside to meet over the brooder wall? I wish I could just put little jumpers on them to make sure they stayed warm and safe!

 

[Miss Lydia]

So handsome! I would love to add a couple mallard/greys to my flock! And a couple penciled, and some trouts, and maybe a white or two... a whole Runner Rainbow!!!

I've been considering it, believe me! I'd have to go on a cleaning rampage to make the garage safe for the bigguns, though, and since the littles are in a big inflatable pool, I wonder if they'd be able to see each other enough to really socialize? I was planning on using wire fencing, so they could all see each other easily even if they weren't curious enough to stick their heads over the divider (which is what they'd have to do with the pool brooder). But it's just so cold! I'm so torn over the whole thing... no more fall ducklings for me! I've learned my lesson.
I know it's WAY too early for them to be living outside, but I was hoping a short trip out to meet the rest of the flock wouldn't be too stressful... should I wait longer? Or try to bring the big ones inside to meet over the brooder wall? I wish I could just put little jumpers on them to make sure they stayed warm and safe!

If you can bring your older ones inside that maybe ideal do you have a dog X pen? you could put your peepers in there that way they could all see each other but the older ones couldn't get to them to pick on them. It's going to take a while for your older ducks to accept these babies any way so this might be the solution if you can swing it. Are you keeping your littles in the basement now inside the pool?

 

[Amiga]

If there is a sunny day, without a breeze, and a sheltered spot - like the south side of a building - where it's closer to 60F, I would consider bringing them out and set them in a temporary pen so they can see the others and the others can see them, and give everyone treats at the same time. If it's just for a very little while.

 

[AimToMisbehave]

If  you can bring your older ones inside that maybe ideal do you have a dog X pen? you could put your peepers in there that way they could all see each other but the older ones couldn't get to them to pick on them. It's going to take a while for your older ducks to accept these babies any way so this might be the solution if you can swing it. Are you keeping your littles in the basement now inside the pool?

I do actually, the X pen is what I was planning to use for their visit outside (I started using it to fence off small areas of the big pen to let the grass grow back). We're in a flood zone, so no basements unfortunately; they're in the garage now. I might just need to get a space heater or something...

If there is a sunny day, without a breeze, and a sheltered spot - like the south side of a building - where it's closer to 60F,  I would consider bringing them out and set them in a temporary pen so they can see the others and the others can see them, and give everyone treats at the same time.  If it's just for a very little while.

That was pretty much my plan... if only we could have a sunny day! Maybe if I put them in an X pen out of the rain with a space heater nearby? They're very curious about the quacking from the other side of the wall, so I think they're ready to meet the big ones mentally, but I've gotta figure out a way to keep them warm...

 

[Miss Lydia]

I do actually, the X pen is what I was planning to use for their visit outside (I started using it to fence off small areas of the big pen to let the grass grow back). We're in a flood zone, so no basements unfortunately; they're in the garage now. I might just need to get a space heater or something...
That was pretty much my plan... if only we could have a sunny day! Maybe if I put them in an X pen out of the rain with a space heater nearby? They're very curious about the quacking from the other side of the wall, so I think they're ready to meet the big ones mentally, but I've gotta figure out a way to keep them warm...

I don't think that will work putting a space heater near by in the rain..

You could always hold them up to the window one by one so they can see outside and see the big ones. Okay I get punchy when I am tired so I'll quit.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

For what it's worth, our flock was a bit warm blooded. We started them off as was recommended on the temps, but also watched them. When they were avoiding the heat lamp and spreading out all the time, we raised the heat lamp up a bit, once the heat lamp got as high as it could go, we put in a lower wattage bulb and started over with the lamp lower again. They got to our 68 degree house temperature a bit before "schedule", but that was where they seemed comfortable. When they first went outside, it was low 50s, but we only took them out on sunny days with little wind and for a short time at first. They were a little more developed than yours are now. I am not sure exactly how old they were, but they had feathers on their chests and above their winglings and fuzz on their torsos and heads. But for us it got warmer and they were able to spend more time outside from that point both because it got warmer and because they were getting older. In your case, you have the reverse happening. It will probably continue to get colder. I am guessing you won't want them outside for any real amount of time until they are fully feathered because by the time you get to where ours were, you will be mid 40s and so on. But they can probably go out for short stints on sunny calm days. As ducklings, they should be very excited about being outside and run around making noise and investigating their new pen. If they start laying down and huddling together they are more concerned about being cold and it is time for them to go in right away.

 

[AimToMisbehave]

Peeper (One Month) Birthday Party!
[Video]

Ezri

Zoe

Impa

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Peeper (One Month) Birthday Party!

Ezri

Zoe

Impa

As much of a Zoe fan as I am, Ezri wins this photo op!!!!

And 2 out of three have grown up girlie voices.