When can ducklings move out of the house

[SueNH]

I have 3 ducklings that are getting huge fast! They are nearly the size of a leghorn chicken but still down covered. I can just see feathers starting.

Night temps are in the mid 30's. Can I move them to an unheated building with their chicken hatch mates or do I wait yet?

The cage I use to brood them is getting crowded fast. Will they be ok snuggled down with their chicken buddies?

 

[MissPrissy]

How old are they?

Ducks don't requie as much heat for as long as chicks but in cold weather young ducks can still chill and get ill.

 

[SueNH]

They hatched april 30th.

They were supposed to be cayuga but I'm thinking cayuga/swedish. Too much chest patch going on there and compared to some younger black runners I have in another brooder nowhere black enough.

 

[SueNH]

I've got 4 marans pullets and 3 phoenix chicks that can go out with them. The chickens are old enough where their feathers are fully out but I don't know about the duck fuzz.

I've only had baby ducks without a real mom once and it was towards the end of July.

Somebodys little voice is cracking/quacking a bit in the other room.

 

[deeszoo]

It seems like nights would be a little cold. Could you compromise and put them out during the day and in at night? It would cut down on the mess.

 

[raindrop]

I put mine out in the day and in at night for almost 2 weeks. They learned to follow me in and wait to be picked up and put in the brooder, then I fed them and turned out the light. They were crowded but were just sleeping.

 

[SueNH]

I do have one little former outhouse turned coop behind the house that I could get a lamp into for nights. I had it rigged that way once for young turkeys that I hatched late in fall.

Biggest problem in there is a broody chicken and broody turkey have taken over most of the floor.

I could boot the turkey out today. She's failed in her first brooding mission. I already gave her the extra week.

I'll get it figured out I guess.