When to release ducklings into coop?

[Emmey]

Hi yes my ducklings are getting cramped in the brooder and they starting to get feathers. They are around 3 to 4 weeks. So is it a good time to let out of the brooder and allow them to stay with my hens until they can go with the males ducks? Also one is a pekin so he or she is bigger than the other two.

 

[CurlyQuail]

Hi yes my ducklings are getting cramped in the brooder and they starting to get feathers. They are around 3 to 4 weeks. So is it a good time to let out of the brooder and allow them to stay with my hens until they can go with the males ducks? Also one is a pekin so he or she is bigger than the other two.

Until they are fully feathered, ducklings have trouble controlling their body temperature, so depending on how hot it is, they can go out already. If it‘s warm enough during the day but it gets cold at night, you can put a heat lamp or heating pad in their coop for nighttime. If temperatures are not similar to what you have in your brooder, you should wait a bit to put them out and maybe get a larger brooder in the meantime

 

[Emmey]

Until they are fully feathered, ducklings have trouble controlling their body temperature, so depending on how hot it is, they can go out already. If it‘s warm enough during the day but it gets cold at night, you can put a heat lamp or heating pad in their coop for nighttime. If temperatures are not similar to what you have in your brooder, you should wait a bit to put them out and maybe get a larger brooder in the meantime

I live in Louisiana so its always hot, so I am concerned for them staying the brooder. Right now a tropical strom is passing, so they are staying in the brooder right now. As soon as it is over I going to try to make go inside the coop. Thank you for the advice.

 

[TomCahalan]

I live in Ohio and I would not hesitate to put 2 week old ducks outside. At 4 weeks in Louisiana I can't imagine why your ducks would be inside this time of year.

 

[Emmey]

I live in Ohio and I would not hesitate to put 2 week old ducks outside. At 4 weeks in Louisiana I can't imagine why your ducks would be inside this time of year.

The brooder is outside, and I guess I was the scared of them getting eaten up by mosquitoes mostly and the crazy weather. As soon as the weather passes they going inside the coop.

 

[Texag87]

I put my 9 week old ducklings outside more than 6 weeks ago. My only regret is we did not get enough handling time with them so they are not as friendly as their parents are.