Need to vent

[jdywntr]

So, I get up this morning and go out to let the birds out and notice that the light in the brooder with my almost 2 week old muscovy ducklings and their mom is out.
Apparently, one of the other ducks jumped on top of the brooder and hit the light which broke the bulb. I removed a very unhappy mom and her babies so I could clean out the whole thing.
Luckily, the bulb broke and didn't shatter. Luckily it didn't get too cold last night but tonight is going to be in the 30's so I'm getting another bulb.
Everyone appeared okay. There were some small pieces of glass in their feeder so I'm hoping that nobody ate any.

I cleaned it all out and added some new bedding. I'm hopeful that they didn't eat or drink after the light went out since as soon as I put their food and water back in they all ate, even mom.

Now I'm having to figure out a way to keep the other ducks off of it.

 

[Shayna]

I have noticed some people put a "cage" made out of hardware cloth or something else heavy duty to shield the light bulb and light fixture from anything being able to come in contact with it. You might want to look into some options like that. Glad everyone is ok!

 

[Going Quackers]

ugh, yeah it's hard to keep them off of things isn't it? I know we had a time as well when we brooded the last trio(purchased) keeping the rest off the crate they thought it was a great roosting spot

 

[jdywntr]

I'm going to see if I can make a cage for the lamp, just in case. I did put a section of a dog crate in front of the brooder so that will hopefully keep everyone off.

 

[Amiga]

Oy. Not enough things to watch for with brooding babies. Mmmm. Mmm.