Duckling cold or scared?

[kada6305]

We had one and had the lamp raised as much as we could and it was too hot! The therm was reading over 120!! Ill see how they do today, sounds like they are playing in the water lol you know...making a mess fir be to clean up

 

[kada6305]

Also the guy I got them from also just had a white light on them.

 

[desertdarlene]

You could find something like an EcoGlo, Sweeterheater or electric hen, but I don't know how easy they would be to find where you live in short notice and they can be expensive. That way, you wouldn't have to have a light on all the time and I hear the ducklings are a bit happier because they also get a place to hide under. Of course, if you're not planning on raising any more ducklings or chicks, then it wouldn't make good economic sense.

 

[kada6305]

they are starting to come out of their shell so to speak. venturing away from the corner. I think they might have just been scared. I didn't think Ducks would make so much mess in just a few hours! I mean I knew ducks were messy. But we have them in a plastic bin from walmart, the biggest size you can get. And they had one one side caked with duck poo and of course water. I made a homemade water thing with a gallon jug. hopefully this keeps the mess down a little.

 

[Miss Lydia]

they are starting to come out of their shell so to speak. venturing away from the corner. I think they might have just been scared. I didn't think Ducks would make so much mess in just a few hours! I mean I knew ducks were messy. But we have them in a plastic bin from walmart, the biggest size you can get. And they had one one side caked with duck poo and of course water. I made a homemade water thing with a gallon jug. hopefully this keeps the mess down a little.

Yay glad to hear they are feeling better with their new place. I would recommend replacing the white light with something else like the red just because it disturbs their sleep cycle when they have a bright light shining on them 24/7, I know with chicks it can cause the m to start picking on each other real bad.

 

[kada6305]

okay will do ! we have a red heatig light. I will just have to try to clip it onto something else besides the bin to raise it high enough so its not 130 F in there!

 

[kada6305]

So I switched to the red light. and its about 105 in there. I need it to be 95. I just raised it. but what can I do? If i cant get it down to 95 how am I supposed to keep it at 90 next week?

 

[jdywntr]

95 is too hot. Keep it 85-90 max for a few more days. That is directly under the lamp. You will need to find a way of raising the heat lamp. I've used all kinds of things to attach mine to. Just make sure that it is sturdy. If you have to, move the tote. You could attach the lamp to a shelf, table, pedastal lamp etc.

Heat is just as dangerous as chilling.

 

[kada6305]

I read that 95 the first week then 90 the second and keep dropping it 5 degrees every week? maybe I'm wrong. well either way it dropped to 88. So I think we are good

 

[missnu01]

I am using a plastic bin for 2 mallards and am also having a hard time keeping it cool enough...I just have the light propped up on stuff, or if they seem really warm then I clip the light on the side of the bin so it barely shines in...then when they go looking for the light I lower it a little...It is a repositioning game. I let them cool and then I heat them up again...they seem to be doing alright with it.