When to move ducks outside

[Julielynn810]

Do my ducklings need to be fully feathered before they move outside full time? I'm in Raleigh, NC...its 60s during the day and 40s at night right now.

 

[bantamluv]

I would definitely suggest it, but it's not required. The more feathers and down they accumulate the warmer they'll stay. Good luck !

 

[Cayuga momma]

If you take them out for 15 min trips in slightly cooler weather, ducks seem to feather out faster. My suggestion would be to give them more play time outdoors, while keeping a close eye on them so they dont get chilled. That way they will get all their feathers faster and can permanently stay outside sooner.
I know they are stinky messy little boogers, but you don't wont to rush it and you end up losing them.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Do my ducklings need to be fully feathered before they move outside full time? I'm in Raleigh, NC...its 60s during the day and 40s at night right now.

Simple rule of thumb: The less time they huddle together under the heat-source the readier they are for the outside.

 

[Julielynn810]

Thanks everyone. I've turned the heat lamp off as they never want to be under it anymore.. they always have their legs stretched out and seem comfortable. They're 5 weeks old and it's about 70 degrees in the house. I definitely don't want to rush it, I just don't have a ton of space for them inside and I'm worried about them being cramped together too much. I have 4 of them in the bathtub still. I'm trying to figure out an indoor solution to give them more room, but just not sure what would work. @Cayuga momma @WannaBeHillBilly @bantamluv

 

[Julielynn810]

If you take them out for 15 min trips in slightly cooler weather, ducks seem to feather out faster. My suggestion would be to give them more play time outdoors, while keeping a close eye on them so they dont get chilled. That way they will get all their feathers faster and can permanently stay outside sooner.
I know they are stinky messy little boogers, but you don't wont to rush it and you end up losing them.

Do I need to move them to a bigger area inside or will 4 Welsh Harlequin ducklings be ok in a bathtub brooder until fully feathered?

 

[Cayuga momma]

Can you post a pic of them?
I would say they need a minimum of 16 sq ft to 24 sq ft temporarily until you can get them outside.

 

[chickens really]

Hello...Definitely age is what helps in weaning off heat.
Day time outside without heat but a bed of straw if they choose to use it.
Night time with heat but not as warm as they are used too.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thanks everyone. I've turned the heat lamp off as they never want to be under it anymore.. they always have their legs stretched out and seem comfortable. They're 5 weeks old and it's about 70 degrees in the house. I definitely don't want to rush it, I just don't have a ton of space for them inside and I'm worried about them being cramped together too much. I have 4 of them in the bathtub still. I'm trying to figure out an indoor solution to give them more room, but just not sure what would work. @Cayuga momma @WannaBeHillBilly @bantamluv

They don't need a heat lamp indoors. At 5 weeks old my Indian Runners had their chicken-house outside with a heat lamp overnight. Most of the time they slept away from the lamp, only in cold nights they huddled under it. But that was July here in WV, mid 80's during the day and 70's during the night, a cold night went down to 60's.
If you can set up a protected area outside with the heat-lamp and a covered run they would be happy.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Do I need to move them to a bigger area inside or will 4 Welsh Harlequin ducklings be ok in a bathtub brooder until fully feathered?

Unless you have a spa-type bathtub it will be too small for four very soon. At five weeks they begin to grow really FAST. You ain't seen nothin' yet!
Plus a bathtub with its smooth surface is asking for leg injuries.