Ducklings not exploring outside coop - 1 closing eyes and dozing off HELP?

[shayshay22]

Hi guys,

I have 3 - 4 week old off heat ducklings. Which arrived 3 days ago. They are living in a large coop with shavings and we also left a pillow in a turned over box for them to cuddle on at night. At night we close the coop but during the day we keep the door open so they can explore their pen which is also quite large. The past two days they haven't used their coop at all except at night time when I have picked them up and put them in there to go to bed.

This morning I opened the coop door and gave them there breakfast, they ventured outside to have a nibble and went back inside and have been huddled on the pillow all morning - one of them looks like she is dozing off hers eyes closing and head nodding every so often. I put there water in the coop with them in case they were too cold to venture outside for a drink and they all came down off the pillow had a drink and then went back onto it.

The weather isn't freezing cold so I don't think they are too cold but maybe should I put a hot water bottle under the pillow for them? I don't have any heat lamps as the farm we got them from said we don't need one as they are off heat.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry no one responded to your thread.

How are your ducklings doing?

If they have just got them, they may just be cautious about their new surroundings.
Hoping they have learned to venture out a bit more by now.

@Quatie or @HollowOfWisps may be able to offer more suggestions and tips about their care.

Post some photos! We love photos

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How cold is it outside?
Do they have access to food and water 24/7?

 

[Quatie]

Ducks do take time to adjust to their new surroundings. The fact they are eating is a good sign. Sometimes they won't eat due to the stress of a new environment. You could prevent them from having access to the coop during the day if it is warm enough and just let them in at night for a few days. It may help them get more comfortable with the area. At the same time you don't want to push them too far too fast.