Don't underestimate need to protect flock from heat

[Amiga]

This is old news for many of us, but on the east coast there has been a bit of mild weather for a while, and today it will be in the mid 90s F and possibly higher.

Shade, cool fresh water, fresh air, cool treats, and a watchful eye for the duckies. Oh, and don't forget to watch out for yourselves, too!

 

[Going Quackers]

We're in a heat wave right now... it's 32C with humidity it's 37C. Almost all my birds free range so they find shade in the very tall cedars beside their barn, my newest flock i gave them a shallow pool today... although mama didn't go in?(at least not yet) the babies did! they are 6/7 days old lol they even dove!




Have to show my off my babies

 

[zooweemama]

We were 105 F over the weekend. (our summers are 100-115 F through end Sept and sometimes early Oct) With access to cool water and shade my duckies are doing great. They did well with just their kiddie pools (I locate them under trees in shade) and also since they are on the pond now- they found little pockets of shade right on the pond side (under little bushes) so they can hop in whenever they like. Hope everyone's duckies are ok!

 

[CathysDome]

Hello everyone,

We are expecting to get our 2 fawn & white baby runner ducks, from BackYard Chickens, today or tomorrow. Were so excited!

I already have 1 chinese white goose, named Sabastain, that turns 9 years old July 1st. He loves to ride on the riding lawnmower with me! He's one silly goose! His girlfriend, Ms. Betty, Two, 9 year old Aflac ducks, Daffy and Gladys, 1 mixed Muscovy duck, named Ms. Rickie, that showed up one morning about 2 years ago and one 2 month old brown , runner duck, I think, named, Bella. Her family brought her and her sister, Bella and Annie, to me after Easter. They couldn't take care of them anymore and asked if I would take them in. I said, yes, of course. Well, 2 weeks ago, we let them out of their duck house at 7:30 in the morning, they ran right to the lake, like always.....and an alligator got Our Precious Annie.

It's like he was just waiting!!! It was a baby alligator, about 2 1/2 feet long. He broke her neck instantly!! Thankk goodness my daughter was able to get her out of the water before he could eat her. We miss you Annie.....
My grandkids and I have been so sad. I decided to order 2 baby runner ducks, to get everyone back in the happy mood and we can't wait for them to get here. I will post pictures of my crew later. Have a great duckie day!!!

Psss. To help keep my crew cooler on these hot days, I have them 3 small kiddie pools that I rinse out and refill 2 or 3 times a day. I cook them spagetti or egg noodles, put them in the fridg and get them cold. They go crazy over them!!!! I only feed them a little of them at a time, because they will eat and eat, as long as you give them to them. I also have a couple of Misters that I leave running on the water hose during the day, so they can get misted... lol At night, I lock them in their duck house, to keep them safe, where I have a Mister, running through the ceiling, and a fan. I think they are spoiled, They sure keep me hopping, but ya gotta lovem!!!

 

[Valntyn]

An excellent reminder for everyone!

My mom had a couple beach umbrellas doing nothing in her garage, so I set them up in our duck pens. Not only did they work to keep the rain out of the grain bowls during all those weeks of rain we had (very helpful after wasting several bowl fulls!), they also provide shade for the birds to relax in.

Stay comfortable, everyone!

 

[pastrymama]

it's is supposed to be a balmly 113 here today in sunny AZ! my ducklings from holderreads are one week old today. i can't keep them in the house(WAY too smelly), it's much too hot in the garage so out to the grow out pen they went yesterday. it's already 98 out and i gave them a very shallow tupperware with very little water as they looked completely miserable. they perked right up when all 15 hopped in, i guess i will be refilling it all day long. good thing the pen is in the shade, but it is HOT! yikes!

 

[Amiga]

Welcome, Valntyn and CathysDome, to the Duck Forum!

Great to hear everyone's system for keeping ducks from overheating. The runners, buffs and I are taking a siesta in the basement pen for a little while, till it starts to cool off. This is relative, but with most of my ducks dark colors, on a sunny day like this, once the sun gets a bit lower it should be more comfortable.

Meanwhile, time to go check the solar oven (squash casserole)...might as well take advantage of all that solar energy.

 

[WyldWytch]

Our run right now is about 5 feet from some tall cedars which protect it from the extreme sum for a good portion of the day. We also have half the run with a wood roof and the other half has chicken wire over it. We always found it funny that when it would rain the ducks would go under the roof so they didn't get wet, yet when it was in the mid 30's and 40's they would go to sleep in their pond. They have a house to go into as well to get out of the weather of which I think they have used a handful of times.

I just brought them out some frozen peas and they turned their nose up at them preferring to play in the run off water digging for night crawlers. They really do amaze me at times.

Rosie