2nd time getting ducklings...forgetting everything!!!

[happy duck]

Hi guys! I have decided its time to get some more ducklings and seem to have forgotten some things. I have made lots of notes from the last round of ducks but as it has been 2 years I have forgotten some stuff. The main Q I have is if I SHOULD use a heat light. I have kinda already decided what to do about this but am just wanting to see what some of yalls opinions are about this. With the weather getting warmer I am not sure if I should get one or not. Also I was wanting to see some of yalls brooder pics. The last time I did this my brooder was good but got very messy. I am also trying to think through introducing new ducks to the existing flock. My main problem with that is that I will be putting the ducklings with the existing flock before the new females have started laying. I am kinda scared about the dangers the new duckligns will have with my existing male(although they will be free ranging most of the time). Thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance. I have been gone for several months but have really been wanting to get back on. Hopefully these new ducklings will give me a reason!

 

[Chicken school]

I actually have ducklings now, and we are using a heat lamp. With the warmer weather it helps, but they most have a heat lamp to start out. I hope this advice helps. Bye!

 

[Ratchnick]

You need some type of heat sourse.

 

[happy duck]

Thanks for the advice. I have raised ducks before and where we live we have warm weather so just trying to see what will be best for the ducks and where we live.

 

[DuckyDonna]

what is "warm weather"? Where do you live?

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Hi guys! I have decided its time to get some more ducklings and seem to have forgotten some things. I have made lots of notes from the last round of ducks but as it has been 2 years I have forgotten some stuff. The main Q I have is if I SHOULD use a heat light. I have kinda already decided what to do about this but am just wanting to see what some of yalls opinions are about this. With the weather getting warmer I am not sure if I should get one or not. Also I was wanting to see some of yalls brooder pics. The last time I did this my brooder was good but got very messy. I am also trying to think through introducing new ducks to the existing flock. My main problem with that is that I will be putting the ducklings with the existing flock before the new females have started laying. I am kinda scared about the dangers the new duckligns will have with my existing male(although they will be free ranging most of the time). Thoughts on that?

Thanks in advance. I have been gone for several months but have really been wanting to get back on. Hopefully these new ducklings will give me a reason!

use a normL duck waterer and then put in in a pan, that will catch any water they spill and won’t make the bedding a mess. i find it easier to use a normal bowl, not a duck feeder and put a rock in the middle so it doesn’t tip over. also keep the water and food on one side so they can sleep on the clean side.

 

[happy duck]

what is "warm weather"? Where do you live?

We live in the south so warm...I don't know 60-70 degrees(that still seems kinda chilly to a duckling). Maybe I will do a heat lamp for at least the first several weeks. I honestly don't want to buy one but if that is what I need to do I am totally up for it...as long as these little ducklings are safe! ❤

 

[happy duck]

use a normL duck waterer and then put in in a pan, that will catch any water they spill and won’t make the bedding a mess. i find it easier to use a normal bowl, not a duck feeder and put a rock in the middle so it doesn’t tip over. also keep the water and food on one side so they can sleep on the clean side.

Thanks for the reply! I have owned ducks before and this is what I did but thanks for the reminder!

 

[DuckyDonna]

We live in the south so warm...I don't know 60-70 degrees(that still seems kinda chilly to a duckling). Maybe I will do a heat lamp for at least the first several weeks. I honestly don't want to buy one but if that is what I need to do I am totally up for it...as long as these little ducklings are safe! ❤

I live in the south too and have never used a heat lamp but I incubated so that I hatch around June 1st. I have no desire to hatch when I must worry about keeping them warm. I just use a regular light bulb which puts out enough heat for them until they don't need any heat at all.

I use a kiddie pool for a brooder with puppy pads over pine shavings and I stand up cardboard around it when they get big enough to jump out. I've got a progression of waterers that I use if you'd like to see a picture of them and food buckets that have very little waste. Just ask and I'll be glad to share my pictures with you for some ideas.

 

[happy duck]

I live in the south too and have never used a heat lamp but I incubated so that I hatch around June 1st. I have no desire to hatch when I must worry about keeping them warm. I just use a regular light bulb which puts out enough heat for them until they don't need any heat at all.

I use a kiddie pool for a brooder with puppy pads over pine shavings and I stand up cardboard around it when they get big enough to jump out. I've got a progression of waterers that I use if you'd like to see a picture of them and food buckets that have very little waste. Just ask and I'll be glad to share my pictures with you for some ideas.

Thanks! I will probably use a heat light just to be sure they don't chill. I used a kiddie pool and card board last time but it was just very messy. I guess I will just have to play around with some ideas to try to get exactly what I want. Also thanks for offering to see your pics. I don't need to see them cuz I already have food and water ideas. Thanks tho!