Too young to be outside in storms?

[room onthebroom]

I have a coop that is slightly raised with a ramp, but they don't know how to get in yet. I'm ordering some fake turf to try and my the ramp easier to climb. For now, the ducks are sitting under the coop. Also, thank you for responding! I didn't expect someone to help me.

Ducks also like a slightly wider ramp than chickens. If the ramp is too narrow or two steep they will be more afraid to use it.

I always stress when any of the babies leave the house the first night. It’s a new situation & they’re scared, but they adapt remarkably fast.

 

[lyssi]

Congratulations on your ducklings!

First of all, I coddle my ducks. I literally have ducks instead of human children.

Do your ducklings have heat outdoors in their coop? If so they are fine outside, but they still need a "brooder" type environment to live in at 8 and 16 days old. I don't know how cold it gets where you are but most people follow the guidelines of 90 degrees for the first week, and reduce the temperature by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered or you reach the temperature of the environment. And also provide a cooler area they can choose to go to if they get too warm.

My ducks are 6 and 7 years old and live in a barn. I have a camera in the barn that I can watch live inside my house and during thunderstorms or hail they are visibly upset. They quack loudly for me. I go in there and sit with them until it passes. They stop quacking and running around, sit down next to me, and relax. But since yours aren't bonded to you I think you should probably just leave them. Until you are a source of safety you will probably just be one more scary thing.

You can be a source of safety! I adopted 3 ducks as adults and they were terrified of me. When they saw me they ran in the other direction and hid in corners. Within months I had tamed them to eat from my hands, enjoy sitting next to me, run to me when they saw a scary hawk, come when I called, and one even hopped into my lap regularly.

I avoided doing anything scary. I avoided direct eye contact. I avoided startling them, moving quickly, walking directly at them, ect. My ducks didn't like it when I stood up tall next to them, so I crawled a few feet away before standing. So pay attention to what scares your babies and don't do it. (I don't have to do any of this stuff anymore, btw)

I made sure everytime my ducks saw me something positive happened. My ducks loved mealworms and tomatoes. So I threw them their favorite treat anytime I walked past their aviary.

And I spent lots of time hanging out with them being still. I knitting near them, read books, even ate dinner and took naps. The more time you hang out with them the better.

My ducks aren't imprinted on me, and I think your ducks are too old to be as well. But they can be friendly and trust you.

Thank you! The 11 day old ducklings seem to like me, but the older two need to warm up still.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Congratulations on your ducklings!

First of all, I coddle my ducks. I literally have ducks instead of human children.

Do your ducklings have heat outdoors in their coop? If so they are fine outside, but they still need a "brooder" type environment to live in at 8 and 16 days old. I don't know how cold it gets where you are but most people follow the guidelines of 90 degrees for the first week, and reduce the temperature by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered or you reach the temperature of the environment. And also provide a cooler area they can choose to go to if they get too warm.

My ducks are 6 and 7 years old and live in a barn. I have a camera in the barn that I can watch live inside my house and during thunderstorms or hail they are visibly upset. They quack loudly for me. I go in there and sit with them until it passes. They stop quacking and running around, sit down next to me, and relax. But since yours aren't bonded to you I think you should probably just leave them. Until you are a source of safety you will probably just be one more scary thing.

You can be a source of safety! I adopted 3 ducks as adults and they were terrified of me. When they saw me they ran in the other direction and hid in corners. Within months I had tamed them to eat from my hands, enjoy sitting next to me, run to me when they saw a scary hawk, come when I called, and one even hopped into my lap regularly.

I avoided doing anything scary. I avoided direct eye contact. I avoided startling them, moving quickly, walking directly at them, ect. My ducks didn't like it when I stood up tall next to them, so I crawled a few feet away before standing. So pay attention to what scares your babies and don't do it. (I don't have to do any of this stuff anymore, btw)

I made sure everytime my ducks saw me something positive happened. My ducks loved mealworms and tomatoes. So I threw them their favorite treat anytime I walked past their aviary.

And I spent lots of time hanging out with them being still. I knitting near them, read books, even ate dinner and took naps. The more time you hang out with them the better.

My ducks aren't imprinted on me, and I think your ducks are too old to be as well. But they can be friendly and trust you.

X2

 

[Duck Lady1]

Hey! On May 1st I got my first 6 ducks from a duck slaughter farm. I didn't know that they were raised for meat until after I left their (the farm owners) home. I have two 16 day old ducklings and four 8 day old ducklings. I contacted the farm to ask about when I should be putting the older two in a coop, and they said they I could now. So yesterday I set up the coop and put the two ducks in. I wasn't too worried until later tonight, when it started storming and lightning kept striking nearby. I convinced my sister to help me get the two out of the rain and back into the box I had them in earlier in the week. When I went out there, both of them were visibly upset which made my heart break. The two ducks don't have all of their feathers yet, so I was extra worried about them getting cold. I live in Louisiana, but I still think it was a good idea to bring them in. I'm writing this just 10 minutes after the whole chaotic ordeal, so I'm still kind of shaken. Now, for the actual question! Are they too young to be outside in the coop? My Indian Runner duck has shaky legs, and my Magpie duck gets scared quite easily, so I'm concerned for their health and safety! My next question is about how I can stop worrying as much as I do now. I keep thinking that the ducks will never trust me, even though I just got them this Saturday! I know they will have to get used to me, but for some reason I can't shake the feeling of being unworthy of their trust. Finally, if the two juveniles are too young to be in the coop, when should I put them back in? Thank you to anyone who helps! Take care, and stay safe.

This is my second batch of ducklings - they were born in mid April.

I let them roam in the day within a fenced in areas where I can get them easily. When I go to get them, I try not to chase but rather coax them to me with food - but sometimes, like you, I'm just like - sorry guys - gotta just grab ya!

But when it gets wet or cool I don't like to see them outside.

It rained like heck here the other day and they got soaked.

I brought them inside, put them in my giant bathtub, and put a heat lamp near them, and they were fine.

They will be feathered out in no time, but meanwhile, protect protect protect.