[little blue]

have FINALLY got some ducks!   

after some non-hatchings and premature deaths 
I have at last got 5 Aylesbury ducklings (theres is a wild strain in there somewhere, giving us one dark magpie one!) aged 2 weeks

they are near but not direcltly under a heatlamp.. we have 11 newly hatched quail chicks under it - a double decker brooder!
the guy they came from had started switching off the lamp in the day but this isn't practical for us.

any tips, advice? 
especially on age to let them live out (with chickens, we wait til the have body feathers, around three weeks if the weather's warm) they will have a cosy hut and run with pond at the other end.

I really just wanted to share, we are very happy!

[jameslindsay]

Well done, they look great. I like the one playing keek a boo! I let my ducklings outside, weather permitting from an early age and have never had any problems. I let them out in a secure run for a short time and just  increase this day after day until they are out all day. Hope this helps. They will ake so much mess and smell you will be happy to let them outside.

[little blue]

Yes, they are sooo messy compared to chicks (and they're bad enough!)
I prefer to keep them in, then them go straight outside, as the brooder & Incy is in an upstairs spare bedroom.  dont want to be carrying them in and out each day!

once they start with "real" feathers....   

[doganjo]

They are so cute.  If any of my eggs hatch I am prepared this time.  I've organised an electrician to put in outside sockets for me and a line will go to the shed for a heat lamp.  The 'whelping box' is ready, so they can stay inside for 3 days at most then it's off out to the shed with them!