Six weeks old? Ready to go?

[McChics]

I'm assuming the right thing to do too is to pull up any water they can swim in before dark...so they aren't facing the coldest part of the night wet...right?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I def would.

 

[McChics]

So...thanks to all of you here for giving me the boost of confidence...babies got "moved out" Friday night. They have stayed continuous in the yard since. I have given them the heat lamp at night. It hit 42 this last night. We had a lot of rain yesterday. They are already out submerging themselves in the puddles near the down spout...and they have gotten into their pool. I've got a camera on them so I'm watching very closely. You'd think by watching the camera alone it was 85 degrees out there!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you lock them up at night to protect them from predators. Glad to hear they made the transition so good!

 

[McChics]

Do you lock them up at night to protect them from predators. Glad to hear they made the transition so good!

Yes. They have actually a triple layer. There is the main pen that is about a 1/4 acre that is a five foot high fence with a zap wire around the bottom outside. Then there is the coop - which is totally wired in and under ground and finally, there is the door to their individual area. The chickens have automated doors - I have to adjust the timers as the daylight hours change, but they are virtually maintenance free. The duck thing is working my noodle over time because I want to get them as automated as possible too - but I'm beginning to think that will be a challenge.

 

[McChics]

Dang...EVERYTHING everybody has said about ducks...is true! Dirty? Never seen clean water that didn't need to be made dirty? Grow like weeds? and more...ALL TRUE! And, likes to sleep under the stars. You bet! So, they are THRIVING outside. They LOVE it. How do I know? Unless I have peas in hand, they want NOTHING to do with humans...just doing their own thing at 100 mph.

Anyway, come bed time. They have ZERO interest in going inside where it is safe. Chickens? They are cool and hassle free - in fact their entire coop is solar powered and fully auto. Ducks? not so much!

I'm having to rethink this whole setup - perhaps a super secure run that they can stay out all night if they want. But, I'm not even a week into this so I have to give it time to develop a routine.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Herd them inside at night or won't be long you'll not have to worry about dirty water and poop they will be eaten by predators. Give a treat as incentive and reward once inside.

 

[McChics]

Oh yes...I am herding! Did I mention the other true part people say about ducks? They are adorable!

My chickens are sneaking in and stealing the duck food right now. I kind of expected they would, but when I previously offered them a little extra I had - they turned their noses to it - wouldn't touch it. But now, since the ducks have it - they have to have it!

It is like having a backyard full of two year old children. But did I mention they are all adorable?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 3 running around in my house right now and loving it.

 

[DucksOhio]

Our three Tractor Supply ducks have grow so fast it is crazy! Having done chickens before, I can't believe my eyes at the pace of their growth. Right now our weather is typical Central Illinois spring, with lows in the 40s but mostly 50s, and highs upwards of 70s, but 60 on average. I've been letting them out each day after work. They have a pen off the main chicken coop where they swim in a cut down tote and play. I've been slowly integrating the chickens - and so far so good. The chickens are now allowed to come into their area (very curious about the ducks) and nobody has attacked yet. They do keep a little distance though.

Okay - I'm tired of the ducks in the garage! They haven't seen a clean bowl of water, food, or wood shavings yet that they don't want to muck up in a matter of minutes. I'm a freak about keeping it clean for their sake and to keep the odor out of the house. They are now in a modified dog X pen with ample room - but they are clearly bored during the day. I have a Zmodo camera on them...and while entertaining to watch...they are ready to go.

So...I want to move them out. They have most their feathers. I see some shafts that are bare extending out on the tips under their wings. I've removed the heat lamp from them for the last week in the garage.

Lows this weekend in the high 40s, highs in the low 60s. I can run a heat lamp in their coop/hutch if needed, but it is super well ventilated so won't do much to keep the general area warm.

Argument for or against?

Also, do put food in or not all night? I've noticed in my house brooder pen area, once I took the heat lamp out and turned the lights off in the garage at night...their food consumption (over night) has gone down to very little. Lights out in the coop/hutch...I'm expecting the same.

I believe at 6 weeks they should be fairly fully feathered.
Could you bring them outside during the day and back to the garage at night?