how long do ducklings require heat lamp

[2ducksmom]

my daughter brought two baby ducks home. one is growing like a weed, one seems to keep getting sick every couple days it hasn't grown much. it looked like it was having seizures a week ago. didn't seem to be eating. now I get it eating and growing then it stops again. It is 90 degrees outside. should I still keep them under a heating lamp???

 

[Amiga]

The general rule of thumb for ducklings is 90F the first week, dropping five degrees a week till the outside or house temperature is the same as what the ducklings need.

There is some variation on that, and you need to watch the ducklings to see if they are too hot or cold. In your case, a heat lamp in 90 degree weather could be deadly.

You say it's 90 outside. Is that where their brooder is?

I like having a thermometer in the brooder so I know what's going on.

Ducklings need fresh water and food 24/7 for the first couple of months at least, since they grow so fast. If you are feeding chick starter, the puny duck is likely having trouble from the lack of niacin. To resolve that, get brewer's yeast and sprinkle a teaspoon on their food once a day, or get plain niacin capsules and dissolve 150 mg of niacin per gallon of water and keep that up for ten weeks.

Have you seen this thread? I strongly recommend it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711