When can ducklings sleep outside?

[krh44]

I have 4 ducklings, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 8 weeks. I let them outside in a pen all day and then bring them back inside my house at night to sleep. The night temperatures are in the 40s. Do you think they would all be fine sleeping in the coop now or would it be better to wait?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Once they have grown their feathers and don’t have anymore down, then they will be fine outdoors at night.
Best wishes and be well!

 

[krh44]

Once they have grown their feathers and don’t have anymore down, then they will be fine outdoors at night.
Best wishes and be well! ❤

Thank you!!

The 8 week old is the only one that is fully feathered, and 7 week old not far behind.. So maybe I'll have to wait another week or two for the 6 week olds.

I just can't wait to get them out of my house lol

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Thank you!!

The 8 week old is the only one that is fully feathered, and 7 week old not far behind.. So maybe I'll have to wait another week or two for the 6 week olds.

I just can't wait to get them out of my house lol

I completely understand! Can you put the brooder in the garage with a heat lamp???

 

[nao57]

I completely understand! Can you put the brooder in the garage with a heat lamp???

Preferrably with nothing flammable around the heat lamp. My ducklings like to sometimes knock the heat lamp around. Things can happen.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Preferrably with nothing flammable around the heat lamp. My ducklings like to sometimes knock the heat lamp around. Things can happen.

That’s why I always use a brooder heating pad. Heat lamps scare me! Just wanted to be sure a heat source was provided. Thanks for mentioning that!

 

[krh44]

That’s why I always use a brooder heating pad. Heat lamps scare me! Just wanted to be sure a heat source was provided. Thanks for mentioning that!

I only have an ecoglow that I used for the ducklings when they were smaller.. Heat lamps scare me too! Lol. I think I'll just wait until all of the ducklings are fully feathered. Hopefully no more than 2 weeks haha.

 

[NatJ]

Do the ducklings have any supplemental heat in your house at night? (Should not need it at this age).

If you have a garage or shed, put a thermometer there and see how warm it is--it might be warm enough for you to move the babies out there at night, instead of inside your house. Sort of a halfway point between house temperature and outdoor temperature.

 

[krh44]

Preferrably with nothing flammable around the heat lamp. My ducklings like to sometimes knock the heat lamp around. Things can happen.

Thanks! I only have an ecoglow as heat lamps make me nervous!

 

[krh44]

Do the ducklings have any supplemental heat in your house at night? (Should not need it at this age).

If you have a garage or shed, put a thermometer there and see how warm it is--it might be warm enough for you to move the babies out there at night, instead of inside your house. Sort of a halfway point between house temperature and outdoor temperature.

No, they don't have any supplemental heat. I'll put a thermometer out tonight and see how low it gets. What temperature would be the lowest it could go and still be fine for the ducklings? 50°??