By the time the ducklings are 3-5 weeks old, weather-dependent, they can spend warm, sunny days outside, carefully supervised and protected from predators. Until the ducks are fully feathered around 7-9 weeks old, they have trouble regulating their body temperature and need heat.

How do you know when your ducks are fully feathered?

Ideally, they should be scattered evenly throughout the brooder and will be moving freely and happily throughout the brooder. The ducks will be fully feathered somewhere between the 7th and 9th week and at this point will no longer need supplemental heat.

How old is a duck when it gets feathers?

A duckling grows outer feathers by 5–8 weeks of age. In late summer ducks lose all their feathers (called moulting) and grow new feathers. When new feathers grow many ducks fly (migrate) to warmer lands for the winter.