time to go outside?

[rockinredrhoman]

I have about 6 weeks old duckies. They have been outside in their pen for about half a day lately, but when can I move them outside permanently? I wouldn't mind having my dinning room back and for my house to stop smelling like ducks.
Thanks duckies.

 

[SillyCityGirl]

They should be plenty ready to go outside full time by now. I have even moved them outside full time as early as three weeks but I had night time lows in the 80's. I live in northern AZ. Ducks don't seem to be as cold sensitive as chickens, they still need heat as babies they just don't seem to need as much and for as long.

At six weeks it is definitely time to take your dining room back.

 

[rockinredrhoman]

I live in Flagstaff. Should I put a heat lamp in with them until it warms up at night and all their feathers come in?

 

[Amiga]

At six weeks, the ducklings need to have it no colder than 60F, ideally. Yes, some folks keep their ducklings colder. My concern is that energy they need to properly develop their reproductive and nervous systems, among others, are diverted to keeping themselves warm.

How cold does the shelter get at night? Will they have food with water?

 

[rockinredrhoman]

At six weeks, the ducklings need to have it no colder than 60F, ideally.  Yes, some folks keep their ducklings colder.  My concern is that energy they need to properly develop their reproductive and nervous systems, among others, are diverted to keeping themselves warm.

How cold does the shelter get at night?  Will they have food with water?

Realistically, it's never dependable for over 60 at night here. As we are working on landscaping in our yard I can put their shelter where it gets the Sun all day or next to an outlet to plug a lamp in.