When to move ducklings outside?

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

My ducklings will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday. I have them in a brooder box in the basement with a heat lamp (which has been raised way up). What temperature does it need to be outside for them to be ok? They haven't started getting their feathers yet.

 

[headred]

Mine went outside at 2 weeks with a heat lamp (they never used it) and 25 degree temps. They did just fine! I think we baby them too much and forget they are wild animals. They will just huddle if they get hold, hec, they do that all the time anyway!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

25 degree temps and I'm worried about 50-60?

Guess where they're going this weekend?!!!!

Thank you so much!

 

[BeardedChick]

I am in Colorado. Mine went out into a brooder house at 3-4 weeks with a heat lamp at night. Ducks are a lot more cold tolerant than chickens.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Mine will be in a chain link dog pen with a wooden box for a shelter. I can't put a heat lamp out there which is why I was hesitating. The temps here have been in the 40's-50's at night, and anywhere from 50-85 during the day (in Ohio, it just depends on the day LOL.) There are 5 of them so I think they should be ok. They are getting cramped in their brooder box and I'm getting tired of the soppy wet mess.

 

[Luvducks]

I have four ducks that are four weeks old. They have been outside for two nights now. Temps were40-45. I also have a dog box and they were in there sleepng when I checked. No heat lamp. I put shavings in the dog box and hay on top of that.

Yes I was worried the first night but they are doing fine. Good luck!