Jonnyboy
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DucklingsFive-six weeks old, can they spend the night outside in a covered run?
I ask this because they are in a box next to me, and they ******* stink.
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Nick
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Nope, until they are about 12/14 weeks old they are acutely sensitive to the cold, I'm afraid. Have to remain indoors.
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Helen M
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Re: Ducklings | Jonnyboy wrote: | Five-six weeks old, can they spend the night outside in a covered run?
I ask this because they are in a box next to me, and they ******* stink. |
are they fully feathered, and do they have a snuggly housing bit full of straw? if not then best play it safe and keep them in for a bit longer
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Jonnyboy
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| Nick wrote: | | Nope, until they are about 12/14 weeks old they are acutely sensitive to the cold, I'm afraid. Have to remain indoors. |
Cheers, they're back outside.
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Gervase
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So, cuteness declines as stinkiness increases, eh? I must draw M-J's attention to this thread in the morning.
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Jonnyboy
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| Gervase wrote: | | So, cuteness declines as stinkiness increases, eh? I must draw M-J's attention to this thread in the morning. |
I'm certainly licking them less.
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Helen M
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their first flush of feathers tend to be a bit on the light side so they do need a good covering first...i thin 12 weeks may be a bit optomistic Nick, it is september after all
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Calli
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | | Gervase wrote: | | So, cuteness declines as stinkiness increases, eh? I must draw M-J's attention to this thread in the morning. |
I'm certainly licking them less. |
Could be they need a little alternative cleansing? 
Wetwipes?
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Jonnyboy
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Planet killer, we take things seriously here. And we don't use spell cheker.
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Calli
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Resisting second hand excuse! 
have you got a heat lamp for them - on a thermostat?
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Nick
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| Helen M wrote: | | their first flush of feathers tend to be a bit on the light side so they do need a good covering first...i thin 12 weeks may be a bit optomistic Nick, it is september after all |
Could be right. Cold foggy nights will get them all too easily, as I recall. 
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Helen M
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| Nick wrote: | | Helen M wrote: | | their first flush of feathers tend to be a bit on the light side so they do need a good covering first...i thin 12 weeks may be a bit optomistic Nick, it is september after all |
Could be right. Cold foggy nights will get them all too easily, as I recall. |
i've lost a few like that wet feathers don't insulate them at all  to be honest i would think twice about duckings at this time of year....pehaps insulating their housing with egg boxes would help....i also found adding fleece to their bedding makes it a bit cosier
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Jonnyboy
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I've left the door open so the cats can get them, seems kinder.
the smell, it burns!!!!!
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Nick
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Looks like you're stuck with them, Jon.
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Helen M
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | I've left the door open so the cats can get them, seems kinder.
the smell, it burns!!!!! |
don't be so bl**dy cruel 
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Calli
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Horrified!! 
Cats are natural born killers - and certainly not certified despatchers
[fetch them in quick!!! poor little fragile creatures]
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Helen M
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| Calli wrote: | Horrified!!
Cats are natural born killers - and certainly not certified despatchers
[fetch them in quick!!! poor little fragile creatures] |
i concure!
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Jonnyboy
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Done, cats are now in front of fire.
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Calli
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Stern duckling count in the morning?
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Calli
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OMG he is now barbecuing the cats???
[Cues Peter and the wolf music]
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Helen M
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| Calli wrote: | | OMG he is now barbecuing the cats??? |
the man is an animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Calli
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C[h]at aubriand?
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Jonnyboy
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Duck lollipops
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bodger
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Re: Ducklings | Jonnyboy wrote: | Five-six weeks old, can they spend the night outside in a covered run?
I ask this because they are in a box next to me, and they ******* stink. |
I think that you should sleep with them for the next six months as a bare minimum, just to be on the safe side.
As long as the ducklings are well feathered, which they should be by now and the run is secure from foxes plus their housing is dry and draught proof, then its fine to keep them outside. Ducks of all ages do hum a bit don't they ?
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Mary-Jane
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| Jonnyboy wrote: | | ...and they ******* stink. |
| Gervase wrote: | | So, cuteness declines as stinkiness increases, eh? I must draw M-J's attention to this thread in the morning. |
I've got my fingers in my ears and I'm not listening...la, la, la, la, la...
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