Ducklings and the outdoors

[NewbieChuckies505]

Hi. I saw some posts about how old ducks should be when they are introduced to the outdoors, my oldest ones are ready to be integrated slowly. They are getting bigger in their brooder at this time. I’m just wondering how I need to integrate them. Slowly? Do I need something other than dirt to walk on? Do they need shade? Is there anything I need to keep away from them? I have a kiddie pool I was to set up for them… is 3 weeks too young for that? Right now they just go in the bathtub once a day where they can walk around and or swim a little. I have goat heads in my backyard in certain areas too should this be a concern?

 

[KathiQuacks]

They can be introduced outside as soon as the temperature is warm enough for them to withstand. For 3 week olds, you’ll want about 70°F. I would think dirt would be fine. I would give them shade, yes, so they can cool down if necessary.

Keep away from them? Anything you don’t want them eating, and you’ll want to keep them somewhere predator proof when you’re not supervising them. A kiddie pool is fine if they have a way to get out and can dry off afterwards.

Hmm, I may be concerned they’ll step on or eat the goatheads, but they also may quickly learn to avoid it. I’m not sure, we don’t have those burrs here.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I’m glad you knew what was meant by “goat heads”!

 

[igorsMistress]

Unless it’s freezing outside they can go outside now. Just like chicks, have a warm place for them to go when they are cold, but ducks go in water and seem to handle the cold better than chickens.

A kiddie pool may be too big yet. Mine graduated from a bowl to a shallow tote, then to their pool.

 

[NewbieChuckies505]

Unless it’s freezing outside they can go outside now. Just like chicks, have a warm place for them to go when they are cold, but ducks go in water and seem to handle the cold better than chickens.

A kiddie pool may be too big yet. Mine graduated from a bowl to a shallow tote, then to their pool.

Oh dang, I have mine swimming in the bathtub... have gradually increased their water height. They seem to do just fine, I leave them in there while I clean our their brooder daily. It is not freezing outside but they still have their fluff and it has been unbearably windy so we have not put them outside yet.

 

[NewbieChuckies505]

They can be introduced outside as soon as the temperature is warm enough for them to withstand. For 3 week olds, you’ll want about 70°F. I would think dirt would be fine. I would give them shade, yes, so they can cool down if necessary.

Keep away from them? Anything you don’t want them eating, and you’ll want to keep them somewhere predator proof when you’re not supervising them. A kiddie pool is fine if they have a way to get out and can dry off afterwards.

Hmm, I may be concerned they’ll step on or eat the goatheads, but they also may quickly learn to avoid it. I’m not sure, we don’t have those burrs here.

Okay sounds good... thank you! I have been itching to put them outside and see how they do at least for the day time, but its been horribly windy here and we have a lot of sand/dust in our yard and behind our home. I worry about the goat heads but there is nothing we can do about them really.

 

[akroberts1085]

I have been wondering when my ducks can go outside. They're 3 weeks old today but the night time temps are pretty low and the high temps are still a little low.

 

[NewbieChuckies505]

I have been wondering when my ducks can go outside. They're 3 weeks old today but the night time temps are pretty low and the high temps are still a little low.

I would definitely read up above, I am not sure what day temps are in your area. The above comments have been helpful. In another one of my posts people were saying 40's+ at night and so far I see 70's+ for young ducklings/chicks. Have your ducks gotten feathers yet? Mine sprouted their first ones overnight but my two are 4 weeks, and my other two are 2 weeks.

 

[KathiQuacks]

I have been wondering when my ducks can go outside. They're 3 weeks old today but the night time temps are pretty low and the high temps are still a little low.

There’s a lot of recommendations for gauging temperature needs, but personally, I start with 90° and subtract 1° for each day they’re alive. So, 3 week olds would be 90 - 21 = 69°F.

By the time they’re fully feathered, they can tolerate 20°F without shelter, and way down into the negatives with shelter.

 

[akroberts1085]

Thank you