What age can ducklings go outside?

[americana-chick]

My ducklings are starting to grow their feathers in and they are making everyting a mess! I cant keep their cage dry at all anymore and they can jump out of their cage. The temps are suppose to be 60+ degrees during the day. will they be ok outside?
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[Cindiloohoo]

They need to be fully feathered but you can put them out with their heat lamp if you have a way to do that. I'm putting mine out tomorrow and they have no feathers yet. I have a small brooding section off the side of the main coop for babies. I just gotta get it cleaned out

 

[americana-chick]

Quote:
It gets pretty hot here in the summer... (between 90 and 100 degrees) and even then they couldnt go outside without a heat lamp? I do haev a way to put a heat lamp out there but for some reason everytime i put a heat lamp outside it gets broken...

 

[FenDruadin]

I think they're probably okay outside if the temps are warm enough. The best way to know is by observing them. If they stand in a huddle making a lot of noise, then they are cold. If they move around freely and/or sleep quietly in a pile, they are fine. If they are lying down with their legs stretched out and panting, they are hot. Check on them frequently for the first day or two, because they may seem fine for a while but then gradually become chilled or overheated.

If your temps are reaching the 90s & 100s, the biggest thing you need to look out for is *over* heating. Make sure they have plenty of cool water--a very shallow pan that they can get into and out of easy but that they can't possibly drown in will help--and make sure they have access to shade all day long.

60+ degrees is probably fine for a short while, but they'll want some supplemental heat for sleeping under. Can you run an extension cord outside and fix the heat lamp where they can use it?

 

[Teresaann24]

My ducklings are not fully feathered and they have been outside for about a week now without a heating lamp.

They had to go they seem to be doing fine not acting cold or fussing. Just keep an eye on them and you will know if they need to have more heat or less.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
It gets pretty hot here in the summer... (between 90 and 100 degrees) and even then they couldnt go outside without a heat lamp? I do haev a way to put a heat lamp out there but for some reason everytime i put a heat lamp outside it gets broken...

I'm only going to keep heat for mine at night. They are about 2-3 weeks old. The day temps are 70's and night is 40-50's. I don't know where you are but if the night doesn't get too cool I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Colonel77]

What breed of ducks are those? I have 2 that look just like them only older.

 

[americana-chick]

Ok thanks everyone!
Colonel- they are Welsh Harlequins