When can my ducks go outside?!

[RubiconChicken]

I am new to ducks and have 2 pekins that are just about 4 weeks old. They are still in their brooder but the heat lamp is off now. I'm giving them chick grower with brewers yeast and they have a water bowl big enough to walk in and wash their beaks. We have a duck coop ready to go for them with a run as well. As of right now, our daytime temps are projected to be around 50 degrees. Is it ok for me to put the ducks in the coop/run during the day and then bring them back in at night? They are smelly and messy and washing the brooder out twice a day is quite a hassle

 

[DuckyDonna]

I am new to ducks and have 2 pekins that are just about 4 weeks old. They are still in their brooder but the heat lamp is off now. I'm giving them chick grower with brewers yeast and they have a water bowl big enough to walk in and wash their beaks. We have a duck coop ready to go for them with a run as well. As of right now, our daytime temps are projected to be around 50 degrees. Is it ok for me to put the ducks in the coop/run during the day and then bring them back in at night? They are smelly and messy and washing the brooder out twice a day is quite a hassle

Are they fully feathered? 50° sounds pretty low to me. It would help immensely if you'd put your location on your account profile. It's easy to do and helps us help you much faster.

 

[RubiconChicken]

Are they fully feathered? 50° sounds pretty low to me. It would help immensely if you'd put your location on your account profile. It's easy to do and helps us help you much faster.

They are partially feathered. I'm in southeastern Wisconsin.

I've taken them outside for 45 minutes at a time and they scream and have a fit when I bring them back in

 

[DuckyDonna]

They are partially feathered. I'm in southeastern Wisconsin.

I've taken them outside for 45 minutes at a time and they scream and have a fit when I bring them back in

Well, pekins are pretty big but still you don't want them to get chilled and then sick. Idk what I'd do as I've just got skinny Indian runners.

I totally get that you want them out of the house though. @MasterOfClucker will know what to do. I'm pretty sure he's got pekins.

 

[Isaac 0]

I am new to ducks and have 2 pekins that are just about 4 weeks old. They are still in their brooder but the heat lamp is off now. I'm giving them chick grower with brewers yeast and they have a water bowl big enough to walk in and wash their beaks. We have a duck coop ready to go for them with a run as well. As of right now, our daytime temps are projected to be around 50 degrees. Is it ok for me to put the ducks in the coop/run during the day and then bring them back in at night? They are smelly and messy and washing the brooder out twice a day is quite a hassle

I wouldn't put them out there unless you have a heat source in the coop in a draft-free area since they are not fully feathered they cant maintain heat very well or repel water so it puts them at risk for getting chilled. If it were me I would set them outside each day a little bit longer then the first, you want to slowly acclimate them to the temps, if you notice them shivering, huddling together, overall general discomfort that means they are cold and should be brought inside. I let mine out full time, day/night once they are fully feathered, weather permitting.

 

[RubiconChicken]

I wouldn't put them out there unless you have a heat source in the coop in a draft-free area since they are not fully feathered they cant maintain heat very well or repel water so it puts them at risk for getting chilled. If it were me I would set them outside each day a little bit longer then the first, you want to slowly acclimate them to the temps, if you notice them shivering, huddling together, overall general discomfort that means they are cold and should be brought inside. I let mine out full time, day/night once they are fully feathered, weather permitting.

Awesome, thank you for the tips!!!!

 

[ktomacie]

I just searched this, I am in the same boat. Ducks are getting huge and I wanted to shift the chickens into the bigger brooder and put the ducks outside. Same age, same temp ranges but alas we will wait.. I figured it was to cold. Guess I need to build another bigger brooder in the basement until it warms up more and they feather out more. VT spring is NOT warm enough.. blah!