Hey everyone!

[Jellybean05]

Quick question. My wife and I are debating back and fourth weather or not we should keep the heat lamp on when they are in our home. It is drafty in here. We keep it warm. Sometimes they seem to get too hot and hid under some shade. I realized that I have a 250watt heat lamp at about 3ft. From them. I could of gotten a lower wastage but the co-op only had these. Any suggestions? I’m a new duckling daddy, and want to make sure our babies are ok.

You need to read the blue part I messed up on replying sorry....

 

[blayt90]

how can I tell how old my ducklings are? We have two Rouen ducklings. They are so fun!!

Hello and welcome to BYC!!!

 

[blayt90]

You need to read the blue part I messed up on replying sorry....

The best way to tell is to put a thermometer directly under the heat lamp. with their age i believe you need it around 80-85 degrees. They should also have enough room in the brooder to get away from the heat and cool off if needed without having to hide under something.

 

[blayt90]

Try reading this it has some information that might help if you don't know it already.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings/0_20#post_10611711

 

[Lazy Farmer]

 

[Daffy-n-Littlefoot]

Hello and welcome to BYC!!!

Thank you

 

[Miss Lydia]

Everyone brooding ducklings etc should have a thermometer in their brooder to keep track of how warm it is. Too high can be detrimental to their health as well as too low.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Quick question. My wife and I are debating back and fourth weather or not we should keep the heat lamp on when they are in our home. It is drafty in here. We keep it warm. Sometimes they seem to get too hot and hid under some shade. I realized that I have a 250watt heat lamp at about 3ft. From them. I could of gotten a lower wastage but the co-op only had these. Any suggestions? I’m a new duckling daddy, and want to make sure our babies are ok.

I have my ducklings in a heated building that stays constantly 60°F, I kept the heat lamp on them for the last 3 weeks. They are 4 weeks now. Last week I turned it off during the day. This week (just yesterday) I decided they probabaly don't need it. They seem to be doing well without it.
How warm do you keep the house?
If they aren't using the heat lamp, you don't need it, but if they are drawn to the warmth of it, they might still need it.

 

[Daffy-n-Littlefoot]

I have my ducklings in a heated building that stays constantly 60°F, I kept the heat lamp on them for the last 3 weeks. They are 4 weeks now. Last week I turned it off during the day. This week (just yesterday) I decided they probabaly don't need it. They seem to be doing well without it.
How warm do you keep the house?
If they aren't using the heat lamp, you don't need it, but if they are drawn to the warmth of it, they might still need it.

We keep our home around 70f. I have a thermometer that reads 74 in their box. They are using the lamp this morning lol. I’m in Virginia at the foot hills of the Shenandoah mountains. It can be a bit chilly at times. These guys seem to have grown over night lol! The co op wasn’t sure how old they were. They said maybe a couple days old. They seemed too big to be a couple days old. I’m not too sure. I’m thinking during the days here it should be warm enough to turn it off. I’m new to this so I really don’t want to make a mistake. Some people view them as Ducks and oh well, not me. Their life is just as valuable as ours and I have the responsibility of being papa duck.

 

[Daffy-n-Littlefoot]

Daffy and little foot love their duck friend. They are just relaxing this morning. I love how they stretch their little legs out. This morning Daffy sounded like he was almost sneezing. Should I be worried for him? Or is he just maybe clearing his beak out from some food maybe stuck?