The Duck Thread

[carcar80]

Mine (free-rangers) most certainly are. It's not uncommon, especially during spring/mating season, for a couple of them to make rounds outside the house at 2am, squawking like crazy lunatics, LOL!! They are just too funny. (But for the most part, you never hear them at night.)

 

[audiomilk]

At what age can ducks go outside?

 

[BScott03]

At what age can ducks go outside?

These are my first ducks and I'm definitely not an expert but I'd say mine around about 4 weeks old and they absolutely love being outside. They've been outside all day and all night for 2 days and they've done great!

 

[Amiga]

At what age can ducks go outside?

It's not so much an age thing.

Are they fully feathered?
Do you have a safe way to keep them warm enough? Draft-free?
Do you know the temperatures at night?
What is the weather like?
Is the space predator-safe?
They still need water and feed 24/7 till they are eight to ten weeks old.

The question is often prompted by limits in the brooder - not enough space, or water management challenges.

 

[audiomilk]

They're not fully feathered. I can build something that would offer draft free protection within a space that is predator proof (within a chicken run) and would be able to incorporate a 24 hour water source. And yes the brooder presents those problems currently.

 

[Amiga]

Many people successfully brood their ducklings outside the house, I just like to get people to slow down and be methodical about it. Please do not rush them outside if it is not a warm safe place.

Sometimes we find that by making some changes in the in-house brooder, we can extend their stay, happily. Sometimes we find that we need to make sure we get a very safe, healthy place ready for them outdoors. I had ours indoors for three months. Mercy. It was not that bad, and I have funny stories to remind myself of. And some precious photo's.



The runners were helping me clean up their waterer. Acht was impressed with the acoustics of the toilet.

I ended up making a night / storm shelter for my runners in the walkout basement. That works very well for me - no risky heat source, I can hear them (truly I enjoy that part), I don't have to shovel three feet of snow to get to them, their water doesn't freeze, all kinds of blessings.

And not everyone has that option.

So, think about their safety and health, and your peace of mind. We don't get do-overs. Once they are gone, they are gone. So look around the archives here and get some good ideas and prep a nice outdoor brooder for them. Have some fun if you can!

 

[GAIL328]

My ducks have been taking a daily swim in the bathtub and have been spending the day outside with a small basin to swim in. We noticed yesterday that they are no longer water repellent. and are getting soaked. Did they spend too much time in the water? They are 2 and 3 weeks old. We had to dry them in the towel to get water off. Usually only their feet seem wet.

 

[MommaLuve25]

I had a guy that breeds them say to wait a while before u let them get into water. He said they dont have the oils to repel the water off them at that age. U may just wanna wait till they are almost fully feathered!

 

[graham B]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering what I should do when one of my ducklings, a chiltern white, shakes when he stands or walks.... I have 6 ducklings and she/he is the only one with this problem....

 

[GAIL328]

I kept them out of water for a few days and they are better I will just let them have short baths. They love the water so much.