New at raising ducks. Need help!

[btusing]

Hi I got six ducklings about seven weeks ago they are outside in a redone shed and I little outside play area. I was worried about them being too hot tonight. It was about 85 degrees today and they were outside in there pond, when I put them in tonight it was very hot in their coop. Is that okay? I don't want to leave a window open because we have a lot of night time predators.

 

[Amiga]

Keeping them safe from predators is so important, and so is good ventilation.

Is there a place in the house they can stay just for overnight tonight so that you can cover the shed windows with half inch metal hardware cloth (secured very tightly) for ventilation? It is a health concern. I want to add - ducks can get heat stroke - I don't know how hot the shed is, but I don't want to downplay how potentially harmful it can be for them. As in, if it is really too hot and they don't have enough water to keep them cool, it could be fatal.

Do they have water?

 

[btusing]

Yes they have plenty of water. I checked this morning and they were not hot. I have chicken wire over the windows do you think that they will be fine? If I keep the window open at nights? Also should there heat lamp be on if the nights get under 40 degrees?

 

[Amiga]

Rather than chicken wire, use half inch metal hardware cloth, secured with something very sturdy. You can screw furring strips around the edges, or use steel flat washers and screws every 6 inches. http://www.amazon.com/Washer-Galvan...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004K1FAZA