Ducklings avoid heat lamp

[peawinkle]

I have 4 ducklings that are 5 days old. After day 3 they stopped sitting under or even near the heat lamp. I changed the bulb from a 90 to a 60 and today I'm going to change it to a 40 watt to see if they will come to the other side of the cage. It sits on top of the large dog crate so it's not too close to them My house stays at 78 degrees Farenheit. They all sleep next to each other on the other side of the cage. I'm new to all this so I wanted advice...do I need the heat lamp?

 

[Nyssa03]

They need an area that is warm -- probably 80-90 degrees where they can go if they are cold. and they need to be able to get out of the heat if they want. How big is their brooding area? You may want to put in a thermometer and raise your heat lamp.

 

[peawinkle]

They are in a XL dog crate. 42 X 26 and 30 inches tall. When I had a 90 watt bulb in there the temp was 92 degrees and for the first couple days they sat under it but they decided yesterday afternoon they no longer liked to sleep on that side of the cage. They do the same in the brooder in my classroom.

 

[Amiga]

Welcome to Duckdom (c:

Get a thermometer - not the kind with mercury in it. Too much heat can be fatal. Check the temperature, make sure there is a cooler spot in the crate.

And, decide what you are going to do for the brooder when they are a couple of weeks older. As you know, they grow very quickly.

Per Storey's Guide:

First two weeks 0.75 sf per duckling

2 - 4 weeks 1.75 sf per duckling

4 - 6 weeks 2.75 sf per duckling

6 weeks and up, 3 - 5 sf, plus 10 square feet of space outdoors during mild weather (this would be in a secure pen)

 

[peawinkle]

I'll have to bring a thermometer home from my classroom tomorrow. They seem to be quite comfortable but I definitely want them using ALL the room in the brooder. Thanks for the info on square footage needed per bird. They absolutely grow fast! It amazes me.

Thankfully, I won't have to worry about a new space because I hatched them with my 4th graders and made arrangements with a local petting farm to take them in a few weeks. One of these days I'm going to get a pair for myself but unfortunately, I'm not in a position to give them what they need at this time.

They are sooo much fun to watch.

 

[Amiga]

They just steal hearts, those little duckies!