when can they go out

[CityChicker]

If you are putting 2 week old ducklings out in those temperatures and haven't lost any, it is by pure luck. Although, I do agree that sometimes people tend to baby them a bit too much, many of us (myself included) are from a farming background. There is a difference between what is basically anthropomorphism and being concerned that an animal's minimum care requirements are met. Ducklings cannot adequately regulate their heat with few feathers in below freezing temperatures. That is not to say that occasionally some will not survive it, but as I said, it is pure luck if they do. That is not a question of "babying" them too much, it is a question of making sure they have the minimal conditions needed to even survive. Over the years, I have raised hundreds of ducklings and seen plenty lost under far better circumstances.

 

[HenniePennie]

688peterl, just had to tell you that your ducks are beautiful! I have a pair of white crested ducks and they are so fun to watch. I worry about them being out in the cold. Mine are all grown up and feathered at 6 months old. Enjoy them while they are little as they do grow up so fast.

 

[protodon]

Quote:
Sorry you lost so many. I'll just stick with what works for me.

 

[kysilkies]

We're on the same stage, 4 1 month old Muscovies with maybe 40% of their feathers...Since temps have been in the 40s we've only put them out a couple of times for a few hours at the most(has to be sunny also)...

Here is a temp run we put outside to acclimate them...The opening to the run is just big enough for the door on the crate their in(this also allows me to clean it outside of the house):

Up close so you can how (un)feathered they are...

 

[CityChicker]

That is exactly what we do too, Kysilkies. In warm weather, we gradually start putting them out during the day at a few weeks old. In cold weather, we wait until they are a little more feathered, but basically do the same thing. By the time they are 6-7 weeks old, they generally are feathered enough to be out all the time if they have adequate shelter.

Protodon- I stand by what I said. By all means, do what you feel works for you. If you have regularly put two week old ducklings out in cold weather and not lost any, it is purely by luck. There is also a huge difference between even 40's at night and groups of up to 8 ducklings and 2 ducklings out in temperature cold enough to freeze water. That is simply common sense. To an unfeathered duckling, even 10-20 degrees is a big difference. At two weeks old, ducklings should still be kept at 75-80 degrees (at a minimum). I have heard plenty of stories of people losing ducklings even when kept inside when a brooder lamp goes out. Again, if yours are outside 24/7 in cold weather at two weeks old, you are one of the luckiest people alive.

 

[688peterl]

btw i put the pool up today...