Getting my ducklings tomorrow.

[Sublime69]

I am picking up 4 ducklings tomorrow and i have a question. I am going to have a 75 watt light for heat but do i need to leave it on all day and night? Or do i turn it off at night? Also, whats the best food I can get for them?

Thanks!

 

[Carcajou]

I recommend a heat lamp and leave it on 24/7 and you will need a thermometer. Start out at 90 degrees for the first week of their life immediately after hatching, 80-85 for week two, and 75 the third. After that keep between 65-70 until they are six weeks old.

You can feed Purina FlockRaiser or equivalent for their entire lives.

 

[TLWR]

My 2 ducklings (2 weeks old) are on the back patio. They have a 75w bulb and that has been fine for here so far. I turn it off during the day since i move their brooder to the yard.
Just watch their behavior - if they are huddled under the light all the time, they are chilly. If they are trying to get even further away than they can, they are too toasty.

Food - I've used flock raiser. This time around I have an unmedicated chick starter from Nutrena

 

[Shalva]

I have a dumb question.... how do you manage the temperature in the room... the lowering the temp... do you do so with windows etc??? do you shut the heat lamp off... what have you found is the best way to regulate the temperature.... I am ready to lower the temp and am having a heck of a time figuring out a way to do this that will give us a consistent temperature

 

[Amiga]

I had three heat lamps and would turn them off or on, and a window I could open, and a door to the brooder room. I most often left the door open but had a wooden panel to keep the cats out but let fresh air flow through.

 

[Shalva]

Ok thanks so much I think it's time to open the window a bit