When can ducklings go outside during the day?

[scramble]

Hi

My two gorgeous duckings are 4 1/2 weeks old now and starting to get their feathers.
They come out of the brooder once or twice evryday while I'm cleaning it out and wander round in the kitchen having snacks, grit and corn but I was wondering when they could safely go outside?
I know they need to be fully feathered to be permanently outside but thought they could go out for a while duirng the day at the moment as it's failry warm?

Any advice would be gratefully recieved!!

Thank you!!

 

[chrismahon]

Our duckling went out with a hatch of chicks at about 6 weeks Scramble. The weather was mild, but they still came in at night until 8 weeks. Biggest problem we had was their security. Our run had boarded sides for wind protection and fine weld mesh for rat or any other predator protection. We didn't have mesh underneath, so something could have dug under given time, but they were checked regularly.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hiya
What breed are they?
I let mallard babies out during their first week if the weather is nice.
Domestics are a bit less hardy, but at that age they should be fine outside all day in nice weather as long as they have shelter from any wind
Zo
X

 

[scramble]

Thanks very much for your replies.
They will be 6 weeks next week and one is almost fully feathered, not sure of the breed as the eggs were sold as a mix of magpie, welsh harlequin, rouen and one other so a real mix.
So if I set up the run and hut they should be fine during the day and then I can bring them in at night for a bit longer, great.

Thanks very much
Kirsten 17