When can you take ducklings out of their brooder to play?

[luckyduckys]

Hi there,

Im about to get 2 day olds (pekin and cayuga) in about a month or so. I've been reading up on how the ducklings need to be in a certain temp in the beginning and then gradually lower the temp in their brooder. I'm curious.. How often do they need to be in the warmth? When is it safe to take them out/hold them/snuggle them? When can they swim? They will be in the house for a few weeks at least.

Also, what kind of food should I feed them? Do they need grit? Any other tips/advice?

B

 

[Amiga]

Please take a look at this Sticky.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Except for the age at which it is okay to withdraw food and water for a short time (This says 2 weeks, I think more like 8 weeks), I agree with pretty much all that is in this post.

Your body temperature is probably fairly warm - I would be more concerned about other pets, small children, and falling.

 

[Rissa12xoxo]

I am not a duck owner..... Yet! but I have been doing lots of research especially on the site.
I see many people on here that use Purina Flock Raiser Crumbles, and you can keep them on that their whole lives! You do need to give then some brewers yeast tho. Just search brewers yeast here on the duck forum and you can find out more info on that. And you only need to supply grit when you feed them something other than their crumbles. I hope I helped

 

[mymoneypit]

I got duckie out and played with her every day some, but mostly that was her swimming in warm water in the sink, then snuggled on my chest with a towel till she dried. I never put her on the floor to explore till she got bigger cause I was scared someone wouldn't see her.

IDK what your weather is like, but here right now it is 50 out and rainy and I havent built a fire so the house has a chill. I wouldn't take babies out to play or bathe till it got warmer in here.

 

[MySweetChickens]

I usually like to take them out and hold them whenever to get them to be tame

 

[LoveThemBirds]

I started holding Little rummer asap.She is a little cuddler so she was out cuddling twenty fir seven.I also put her on cement floor,but she just crawls back on my lap,and lay on my jacket.I also suggest not feeeding grit unt older.Also,ducklings can swim right away.But,they must be wtach.Reasons are:They probably were not oiled by their mother and get cold,and can die.They should always have feed and water with probiotics and electrolytes in their water.