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Proper lighting for new ducklings

post #1 of 3
6/30/12 at 6:06pm
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So I'm getting all prepped for our new duckings which we'll get in the next couple of weeks. I went to my local TSC to get a brooding lamp and bulbs but all they had for red bulbs were 250 watts. I plan to use a large Rubbermaid-style box for my brooding box and am concerned that 250 watts may be too hot for my little girls. Is a red light absolutely necessary? Is 250 watts too much? If I opted to go with a standard white light with a lower wattage, would I leave it on 24 hrs a day? This may sound like a dumb question, but won't the ducks get confused if their "sun" never sets, if not mentally then possibly physiologically? Thanks for your help everyone!

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post #2 of 3
6/30/12 at 6:10pm

250 watts is a LOT!  I don't know how many ducklings you're getting, but 250 is good for a huge group, where you can hang the light higher. I use a reptile bulb from the pet stores, whether I have 2 ducklings or 15 chicks.  

 

Red is better than white because it doesn't disturb their sleep cycle.  You need it on 24 hours a day until they're older and can adjust their body temps better.  A reptile bulb is about $15 at pet stores, and can be set in a metal clip desk lamp.

Chickens: faverolles, australorps, Delaware, barred rock, welsummer, silver laced wyandotte, lavender and buff x wheaten ameraucanas, BLRW, blue and splash andalusian, cochin, exchequer leghorn, silkie, brabanter, minorca, turken, RIR, brahma, speckled sussex...Ducks: two welsh harlequins, two blue swedish...  Two dogs, a snake, two parents and two kids... and food gardens everywhere else. 

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Chickens: faverolles, australorps, Delaware, barred rock, welsummer, silver laced wyandotte, lavender and buff x wheaten ameraucanas, BLRW, blue and splash andalusian, cochin, exchequer leghorn, silkie, brabanter, minorca, turken, RIR, brahma, speckled sussex...Ducks: two welsh harlequins, two blue swedish...  Two dogs, a snake, two parents and two kids... and food gardens everywhere else. 

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post #3 of 3
6/30/12 at 6:26pm

With our large Rubbermaid tub a.k.a. Brooder I, I used a combination of three lamps.  One was a regular 60 watt light bulb, and two were ceramic heater bulbs that I had from when I kept a reptile.  (RIP MInerva).

 

I also kept a thermometer (the kind used for tropical reptiles) in the brooder, under the lamps.  That is now I knew if the temperature was right.  That is how I learned that in the dry brooder, a certain configuration of lamps kept it at 90 degrees, but when the ducklings made it wet in there, I could only get 80 degrees.

 

The ceramic bulbs solve the problem of eternal daylight.  And a thermometer puts your mind to rest, and keeps you from cooking your ducklings.

 

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Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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