Ducks are going out tomorrow night, Heat lamp?

[Chick_a_dee]

The trio is going out to the duck house tomorrow night (just have to finish the nest boxes tomorrow!), should I put a heat lamp out there for the first night? They're 4.5 weeks old now.

 

[MDC]

It wouldn't hurt, just in case, but I'd just watch them to see how they react to it - whether they use it and get under it to snuggle or if they stay clear except to possibly hunt insects. If they don't use it - they don't need it. Of course, if they get a lot of insects that are attracted to the light you could put a low watt bulb in there for 'em.

 

[Chick_a_dee]

ɱůşçōvý :

It wouldn't hurt, just in case, but I'd just watch them to see how they react to it - whether they use it and get under it to snuggle or if they stay clear except to possibly hunt insects. If they don't use it - they don't need it. Of course, if they get a lot of insects that are attracted to the light you could put a low watt bulb in there for 'em.

They have a fully enclosed coop so insects are probably going to be a no-no until they've been in the coop for a couple days to get used to it like I did with the chickens. I was just worried about the cold, because we seem to be having an abnormally cold spring/summer.​

 

[spook]

Like its said, even if you use a lower watt bulb it is better to be safe then sorry.

For example, the hutch that has an enclosed area we put a 13 watt bulb. Not enough to be hot, but enough to take a chill off.
Good luck and congrats on the ducklings, they are so fun!