I blew it. Now what?

[Percipen]

Aw I'm sorry you lost one the head flinging back sounds like it might have been a seizure. Some recover from them but some dont make it. It sounds like you were doing everything you are supposed to do with weak ones, but sometimes these things happen that are out of our control

 

[MikaylaLeslie]

So the ducklings are about 2 weeks now! This is the setup we have but they are quickly outgrowing it. My dad built the lid thingy because of our cat. I keep noticing them panting. We live in California. We’re having days in the 70s and 80s. Nights in the 40s there about. I unplugged the heat lamp this morning because they were panting. I’m wondering how long before we can move them outside? My Muscovy hatched out duckings a month or so ago. She stood over them for maybe a week and then they were kind of on their own. There’s 10 of them and it seems like they keep each other warm and they’ve done just fine. So with 23 of these ducklings will they be able to do the same? My grandma and uncle are both in the hospital so things are extra crazy. Moving them to a coop outside would be so wonderful but I don’t want to do it too soon. We’ve never moved them out this early but with this many they’re going to be needing more room fast.

 

[NatJ]

I’m wondering how long before we can move them outside?

Are you able to move the heat lamp outside too?
If so, you can move them and the heat lamp out to a bigger pen, any time you want (make sure the pen has protection from rain, predators, and excessive sun.)

If you are not able to move the heat lamp outside, try leaving them in their current brooder tonight with the lamp unplugged. Check on them a few times, and see how they do. Of course if they get too cold you would plug the heat lamp back in, but they might huddle up and be fine--and the easiest way to find out is to try it. If they do fine indoors with no heat lamp, then consider how much colder it will be outdoors, and decide when to try putting them out.

You could also carry them outside for each day, and bring them back in at night, until they get a bit bigger. It can be a real bother to catch them and move them twice a day, especially for that many, but it is one way to provide more shelter and maybe heat at night, but give them more space in the daytime.

 

[MikaylaLeslie]

Thab

Are you able to move the heat lamp outside too?
If so, you can move them and the heat lamp out to a bigger pen, any time you want (make sure the pen has protection from rain, predators, and excessive sun.)

If you are not able to move the heat lamp outside, try leaving them in their current brooder tonight with the lamp unplugged. Check on them a few times, and see how they do. Of course if they get too cold you would plug the heat lamp back in, but they might huddle up and be fine--and the easiest way to find out is to try it. If they do fine indoors with no heat lamp, then consider how much colder it will be outdoors, and decide when to try putting them out.

You could also carry them outside for each day, and bring them back in at night, until they get a bit bigger. It can be a real bother to catch them and move them twice a day, especially for that many, but it is one way to provide more shelter and maybe heat at night, but give them more space in the daytime.

Thank you so much! That is pretty much what I’ve been thinking as well. We could move the heat lamp outside but it will have to be on an extension cord. We worry about it being a fire hazard but maybe we can secure it. I’m not ready to move them out just yet because there’s not a coop available but I should have one open by this weekend. I just want to have a plan in place.