Temps to take ducklings out?

[Simply Oblivious]

I have five nearly three-week old ducklings inside at the moment. I have six fully grown ducks and a chicken outside. I would like to start bringing the ducklings out to see them, and I have a pen for the whole look-don’t-touch idea. I’m just wondering how cold is too cold to bring them out! This week is supposed to range from mid 40s to 50s, with a couple dips below freezing which of course they will be inside for.
Is that warm enough to let them come outside for a little while?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The question is what are they acclimated to? That's the temperatures they can handle. You can take them out for shorter visits until they are acclimated.

 

[PirateGirl]

Yes. You can start taking them out for SUPERVISED visits. I would do a see no touch setup. Watch the ducklings. Since they do not have all of their adult feathers they cannot regulate their temperature well. Don't let them swim while they are out there. Once they stop exploring and walking around and they just lay down and/or start to shiver, it's time to bring them back into the nice warm brooder/house. The first few times it might just be 10 minutes, some days they might do ok for a few hours, but definitely only do it on days when you can check on them often because they are still a bit fragile at this age. By the time they are about 6 weeks old, even if it's chilly out, they should be pretty good outdoors pretty much all the time.

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

Glad you asked this! Can wait to let my girls explore outside!

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

Glad you asked this! Can wait to let my girls explore outside!

Tried this today. Did not go so well. The brooder is in the sunroom so I thought I would open the door and let them go visit the backyard. About 10 secs after they step outside our Gsd decides she's going to open the front door and come check them out. Poor babies ran back in and wouldn't come back out. He's a picture before they got out the door.