Hi. I was wondering if my 1 and a half (about) week old mallard ducklings will be okay tonight without a light because I can't have one. The night are about 60 degrees F. I have blankets one the cage to block any wind, and I have 6 ducklings to keep each other warm. Please help!
Will they most likely possibly survive the first night? Yes but it is taking a chance Mallards are a very small breed especially the ducklings. They really need the light on them the first few weeks to stay warm. Is there a reason you can't have a light tonight?
The mallards are a lot bigger than when we first got them. About 2 or 3 times bigger. My family doesn't want a light any more because they think it's a fire hazzard.
Yes heat lamps can be fire hazards. That being said I have used heat lamps for years and have never had a fire or bulb explode.
Would your family be willing to settle for a regular light bulb instead of a heat bulb? 100 watt bulbs are great, 60 watt do good, and 55 watt are okay. Some heat is better then nothing. If you cannot reach an agreement go get a heater, or heating pad that you can plug in and put under part of the cage (or whatever you are keeping them in).
I am using a 75 watt bulb and I attached the light INSIDE of the cage so if an animal came it would not knock it off. Settled with my family about the light issues. Now the ducks are out and about instead of huddled up. I think they still would be okay without the light but be a little chilled. Better safe than sorry with the babies!