My muscovy ducklings are now about 4 months old. This week has been quite cloudy and I noticed today that when I opened their coop to let them out earlier this morning, they came out, had breakfast and both went back to snuggle in their hay. Could it be that they got confused of what time it is because it's cloudy and looks like dusk? They look healthy as always and when they are out they move around and are active. I lifted them up brought them both out and closed the coop's door. Should I leave it open for them to go in whenever they want? I am afraid that they might go to bed and not eat properly.
I would trust that they feel like sleeping in, and let them come and go as they please. At four months, their outsides are mostly formed, but they are working hard finishing of their internal organ systems now. They may just need a little extra rest. And cloudy days make me long for naps, too.
Ditto that, Amiga. I also think it's a testament to your good duck keeping! The fact that they want to stay in tells me they enjoy their "bedrooms"!
I too would leave their house open to them but do check on them throughout the day to make sure they aren't coming down with something. My ducks always have access to their house and will frequently go in and out during the day.They also huddle around the open doors when the eagles fly over. I guess it makes them feel safer.
Ok! Thanks so much for your replies! I will do that, I'll always leave their door open from now on. I was only worried that they might not get the appropriate amount of food for their age as they are still growing and that they might be hungry at night. But I guess that if they are really hungry they will go out and eat since there's food in their dish, right?
hmmm... i have some 3mth old here who are totally out and about, were cloudy and cold +2C(36F) i always leave the barn open so the birds have shelter choices, that said i'd keep an eye my birds are so eager to be out in the morning, flapping, wading in the water.. foraging etc...
I just want to be clear...I do not leave the door open at night. They are completely locked in from dusk to dawn. They should be fine without food over night since they are close to laying age.
Right, wildpeas, I may not have been clear on that. I am referring to open door daytime. At night, they need to be locked up tight, snug as a bug in a rug. Don't want any harm coming to those babies.
Oh they love it in the mornings when I open their door. They jump right out flapping their wings and running in their pen and then they go straight to their bowls to eat and drink. Of course, I lock them up tight every night as we have foxes, weasels and badgers coming out from the bushes everynight!
