Ducklings in Texas heat? Help

[crestedDuck]

I live in Texas and ordered ducks that will be arriving on the 25th and I'm not sure if they would still need to have the heat lamp. The temperatures can range from 80-100 degrees and I don't know if I will still need to put up a heat lamp?

 

[HeritageGoose13]

If its that hot they don't need a heat lamp.

 

[crestedDuck]

If its that hot they don't need a heat lamp.

Ok good to know

 

[Amiga]

General rule of thumb, 90F the first week, dropping 5F a week. In your case, you may want to plan for keeping them cool enough. They can overheat.

 

[Onyx Otter]

Waterfowl are a lot hardier than land birds as babies. They will not need a heatlamp, but you might want to have a shallow pan that is easy for them to get in and out of for them to swim in when you can watch them. They still like to swim and play in water at that age, you just have to be very careful.

 

[needlessjunk]

I would use heat if it's going to be below 90 the first week. Use a heat lamp at night for about the second week or so but that's about it. You will really need to watch them to make sure it isn't too hot. Unless the are inside in the AC then plan on using it more. I am in TX and once they are about 2 weeks old you should be set to go but do keep a very close eye on them with all this rain because they can get cold and soaked. I'm not sure what your set up will be. With my boys last year it was 90-100 when I got them in mid July. I let them have free access to water at 2 weeks because that was the coolest place they could be in that heat. It's a bit of a different story this year though with the rain. Be sure not to keep them in direct sun though. That for sure will be way too hot.

 

[crestedDuck]

Waterfowl are a lot hardier than land birds as babies. They will not need a heatlamp, but you might want to have a shallow pan that is easy for them to get in and out of for them to swim in when you can watch them. They still like to swim and play in water at that age, you just have to be very careful.

I would use heat if it's going to be below 90 the first week. Use a heat lamp at night for about the second week or so but that's about it. You will really need to watch them to make sure it isn't too hot. Unless the are inside in the AC then plan on using it more. I am in TX and once they are about 2 weeks old you should be set to go but do keep a very close eye on them with all this rain because they can get cold and soaked. I'm not sure what your set up will be. With my boys last year it was 90-100 when I got them in mid July. I let them have free access to water at 2 weeks because that was the coolest place they could be in that heat. It's a bit of a different story this year though with the rain. Be sure not to keep them in direct sun though. That for sure will be way too hot.

Yes this rain is crazy. I live on a lake so I will teach them how to get in and out so they can cool off when every they need.

 

[crestedDuck]

Waterfowl are a lot hardier than land birds as babies. They will not need a heatlamp, but you might want to have a shallow pan that is easy for them to get in and out of for them to swim in when you can watch them. They still like to swim and play in water at that age, you just have to be very careful.

Thanks

 

[crestedDuck]

General rule of thumb, 90F the first week, dropping 5F a week.  In your case, you may want to plan for keeping them cool enough.  They can overheat.

Ok do I just put them in water to cool?

 

[Amiga]

With ducklings you need to supervise, but coolish water - not chilly, just closer to their ideal temperature is a good way to prevent overheating.