So Chip and Cody are three weeks old today (if I calculated correctly based on the information I was given when I bought them), and they're getting bigger and bigger. Not huge, and not even all of their white feathers are coming in, but their yellow fluff is starting to seep away for some white. They're growing, though not HUGE as I said, they are quite bigger then when I had them, and I only have the one aquarium to keep them in until their move-out day into the backyard.

So my question is, well, I have two, but the first one is, when should I finally transfer them outside? I think Spring officially starts next Monday, and it has been a bit nicer outside (emphasis on a bit), but I think we're supposed to have rain mixed with some snow the remainder of the week, but in the 40s. It's also Michigan, and God-knows the weather here changes as often as it wants with no regard for us.

Should I wait until they've got a good majority of white feathers (which to me is the obvious answer, however I want to be sure) before letting them have the backyard? A certain size? They still look like chicks, though a bit bigger, and with some slight quaking (puberty for a duck is so cute). I dont want them to be cooped in this aquarium for much longer, and feel guilty because I cant keep them outside for as long as I want, because I'm too cold and I worry about them being too cold.

Which brings me to my next question. I believe one of my babies has a cold. I brought them in without blow-drying them as I usually do, because they felt considerably warm, not too wet and seemed to have taken care of any wetness prior. Quite an irresponsible thing to do, looking back on it :-\ but anyways... one of the ducklinga I noticed, sneezed a couple times (if you could call it that), and I may be off in saying this, but may have sniffled a couple times.

They have a 75WATT bulb on them now, though drawn back a bit cause one was panting, but right now they're doing fine, snuggling together on their ducky-blanket-towel-thing.

I know medicine can kill a duckling, so should I just let the cold run its course (if it is indeed a cold), or should I do some special treatment for the poor thing? It doesnt seem like he's really effected by it, it just makes me feel guilty for not at least wiping 'em down.

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"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane."