This mid-morning I unintentionally reminded myself of the reason that Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks tells us to be sure to provide plenty of shade once the outdoor temperatures are around 70F (20C) or higher.
It was a clear, sunny morning, very nice, perhaps 65F. I was tired after a long night, and decided to rest on the chaise in the tea garden with the flock. This, by the way, is one of my most favorite things to do, and I would love to be able to do it more often.
I lay back, covered my face against the sun. I was wearing lightweight dark-colored clothing, and was covered - except for my hands. Perhaps 20 minutes later, I realized how steaming hot I was becoming. Looking over, I saw the flock resting right up against the fence in the slender patch of shade they still had. They were fine, but I knew the shade would be gone within a half an hour. I have also provided a shade tent for them in the tea garden - but realizing just how hot it is, especially for one covered in dark "feathers," drove home to me again it is vital to provide plenty of shade for ducks when the weather gets mild - not hot, even. The sun is at its strongest season here at about 42 degrees north of the equator. It will remain at least this strong for another 14 weeks or so. Ducks can perish from overheating.
As I had planned to anyway based on the weather report, I set up a shade cloth over about half the Day Pen. I am glad I did.
It was a clear, sunny morning, very nice, perhaps 65F. I was tired after a long night, and decided to rest on the chaise in the tea garden with the flock. This, by the way, is one of my most favorite things to do, and I would love to be able to do it more often.
I lay back, covered my face against the sun. I was wearing lightweight dark-colored clothing, and was covered - except for my hands. Perhaps 20 minutes later, I realized how steaming hot I was becoming. Looking over, I saw the flock resting right up against the fence in the slender patch of shade they still had. They were fine, but I knew the shade would be gone within a half an hour. I have also provided a shade tent for them in the tea garden - but realizing just how hot it is, especially for one covered in dark "feathers," drove home to me again it is vital to provide plenty of shade for ducks when the weather gets mild - not hot, even. The sun is at its strongest season here at about 42 degrees north of the equator. It will remain at least this strong for another 14 weeks or so. Ducks can perish from overheating.
As I had planned to anyway based on the weather report, I set up a shade cloth over about half the Day Pen. I am glad I did.
