When can I put the dirty little beasts outside??

[CrazyFowlFreak]

I got three little Pekins three weeks ago. They were about a week when I got them. They have been in a brooder, but the bedding is being changed every time I turn around due to the mess that we all know ducks can create. My other ducks were a few months old when I got them, so they were put outside when I brought them home. My question is, when can I put these filthy little beasts in a pen outside? I don't know how much more of it I can take!

They aren't using a brooder light anymore because they were getting too hot with it. Thanks!

 

[bock]

They can go out during the day now, but must come in at night. Have fun!!

 

[xke4]

I guess it depends on the outdoor temp of your area. I wouldn't dream of putting young ducklings outside where I am right now. Temps are varying from 45-65F. If you are in an area where temps are consistently in the high 70's and they are out of any wind, it might be okay. But I still would worry.

 

[eac04]

I didn't know ducklings could be so MESSY when I first got mine! I put them out when they were about a week old. They are now about three weeks old and are as big as my 1+ month old chicks! They stay outside day and night. Here in Texas however, the weather is pretty warm and at night they get to huddle with the other 17 chicks for warmth.

Maybe you can put them with some chicks for warmth? Just a suggestion...

GOOD LUCK with your filthy little beasts LOL

 

[CrazyFowlFreak]

It's been between 70-95 here during the day, except for today. It was rainy and 55-65 here. It's been no lower than 50 at night. I had two chickies in with them and they pecked the poor chicks bloody.

DH will be finishing a duck pen this weekend, or else!

They are so darn cute, though. My older ducks are laying like fiends. I'm getting an egg a day from them and today I found a brown chicken egg in their "nest" under the chicken coop. Dh will also be putting hardware cloth around the coop to keep those stinkers out of there.

Who knew ducks would be so much trouble? I do love the little buggers, though.

 

[dieselgrl48]

I put my 6 pekins in with my 2 2 month old cayuga's last fri.They are I guess about 3 1/2 weeks old.They are on hay in a fenced penned we convert the horse stall 5 years ago into 2 sep pens for grow off for bird's and duckling's.Its been down to 40's here some when we first put them out and they are doing really good.But they do have an enclosed area. It's been nice here 80's some and I open the stall windows for them to sun and put a large pan of water away from sleep area once a day.Yep Ducks STINK lol.I have raised hundred's.I got 6 2 week old mallards in basement yet hope they can go soon but they not growing like the Pekin's do soo.Guess Im scoopin poo and phew for a while longer lol.Ya need an Iron stomach or snorkel gear to raise ducklings hehe.

 

[janastasio]

Once I get sick of the smell and daily cage cleaning..... I put mine outside in my coop inside a plastic kiddie pool with a metal folding dog pen ( I think they are called play yards... not sure) around the outside of it. The fence fits perfectly around the outside of the pool. I fill the pool with pine shavings and hang a heat lamp over it. Bigger, so it stays cleaner longer... not much, but it gets the stank out of the house. Nothing like duckling stank in the morning!

 

[Jenifer72]

Quote:
My 10 RIRs at 3 days old bullied my duck! Tried pecking its eyes and feet and chased it around endlessly! My poor duck just wanted friends and to snuggle and the chickens would have none of it!