when can my ducklings go outside??

[KJ6485]

My babies were outside from 2 weeks on as long as the temp was over 40*, if the temp dropped below overnight i would bring them in, no heat lamp, no food or water overnight. After about 3 weeks or so they were out full time, no food or water overnight, at night i lock them in their coop, allowing them access to their run, and food and water in the morning. They are almost 7 weeks old now and are perfectly fine, they never acted uncomfortable, actually we got some snow yesterday and they free ranged with me while i was out with my son and didnt ever seem phased by the snow!

 

[MarleyandMom]

My Khaki Campbells are 4 weeks old now. I have three. I live in New England, USA. Do you think that it is okay to put them out on sunny days also. They really are a messy group. I change their shavings everyday. Do they need food and water all throught the night still if not how often?

 

[KJ6485]

They can go outside , and no they don't need food and water overnight at that age.

 

[Amiga]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/259876/do-your-ducks-have-water-at-night/10#post_13568197

post number 8 from this
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/959603/ducklings-getting-stuck-on-their-backs#post_14939819

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/969751/help-baby-ducklings#post_15125952

There are some different lines of thought about that. Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks says when they are "several weeks old" they can do without food and water overnight, around 8 hours.

Some of us interpret that as to wait till they're closer to 2 months old before removing food and water overnight.

At 4 weeks old, the recommended temperature for them is 90 minus (4 times 5) is 70F. So on a mild, sunny day, out of the wind, if it's going to be mid 60s, that is probably fine.

As for dealing with water mess indoors, take a look at these things.

 

[csneill]

We have 2 Rouen ducklings & 1 pekin. 3 weeks old tomorrow. Next week is supposed to be 60s during the day & 40s at night- from previous comments it sounds like they could move outside w shelter etc?

 

[Jujubeans2008]

I put my four ducklings out at three weeks of age, in our transition pen. We rigged up a heat lamp to keep them warm, and hay. They didn't seem too bothered about being outside besides the noises. The temperature didn't really seem to phase them. Then again, I live in Florida. But at night time it's been between 50's-60's.

 

[ljrazzy]

Quote:

agreed I find that ducklings can go out sooner than chicks do a test run and see how they react, maybe a heat lamp if the nights get really cold. They are so messy to brood, I use a welded wire floor (with a runbber coating) when I brood them and water nipples to help contain the mess and even then I put them out as soon as possible.

i just put mine out last week, thbeyre 6 weeks and ive left the heat lamp on in 1 corner for them... last night was 50/55 here and raining i left the lamp on for them. i also leave their food and water down all night/day. i checked on them at 4am and they were in there eating their treat and food, is that normal? its also been raining here ALL day and is in the 50s today, should i bring them out when i get home? so new to this!

 

[Miss Lydia]

You can offer and see if they want to come outside but I would force them. At 6 weeks they should be fully feathered If your heat lamp puts out light even red they will most likely get up and eat then sleep and up and eat then sleep. Just the way ducks are.
Once you take the lamp away and the food and water they will sleep most likely. With one eye open.

 

[Mommapig]

My situation is quite opposite It's going to be 95 degrees with lows of 70... my ducklings are 2 weeks so I'm thinking I'll let them outside when they outgrow their brooder? Do ducks get TOO hot? I'm building their pen near trees for shade and they'll have a kiddie pool!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes they can over heat especially in a brooder so it's always a good idea to have a thermometer in there to keep track of the temp and keep the heat lamp at one end so if they do get too warm they can move to the other side of the brooder. At 2 weeks they need a constant temp of around 78- 80* and kept out of draft. Pekins especially seem to struggle with a too warm brooder they grow so fast.