*~*Runner Duck Club*~*

[clankeyes]

Dumb Question... I have 2 Runners and 2 KC.. they are 3.5 wks old. It has been in the high 70's here and during the day the spend most their time outside playing in their pen during the day. We have a 4x4 indoor pen for them inside and they could care less about the heat lamp. I am going to raise it more but they don't bother to go to the area where it is anymore. I have only had chickens so I am not sure when do turn off the lamp for the ducks.. ??? just keep it on at night ? They are still covered in down with feathers starting to slowly come in. The indoor pen is in our mud room which is over 60 * with the heat lamp on even warmer. Thoughts ?

 

[Amiga]

Dumb Question... I have 2 Runners and 2 KC.. they are 3.5 wks old. It has been in the high 70's here and during the day the spend most their time outside playing in their pen during the day. We have a 4x4 indoor pen for them inside and they could care less about the heat lamp. I am going to raise it more but they don't bother to go to the area where it is anymore. I have only had chickens so I am not sure when do turn off the lamp for the ducks.. ??? just keep it on at night ? They are still covered in down with feathers starting to slowly come in. The indoor pen is in our mud room which is over 60 * with the heat lamp on even warmer. Thoughts ?

At 3.5, let's round it up to 4 weeks. 4 times 5 is 20. 90 minus 20 is 70. So they don't need the heat lamp, I think.

 

[clankeyes]

At 3.5, let's round it up to 4 weeks. 4 times 5 is 20. 90 minus 20 is 70. So they don't need the heat lamp, I think.

Wonderful My electric bill will LOVE that ... I turned it off this morning just to see what they would do. They are just playing or sleeping in their dog pile on their stuffed animal. I am going to put them outside soon for the day. They have a old bird bath they play in . 3 inches deep so funny to watch them.. They have access to shade or sun all day. So if the heat lamp is no longer needed will they need a night light to allow them to eat at night ? they seem to be very busy at night as all their food is gone by morning. LOL

 

[Amiga]

Wonderful My electric bill will LOVE that ... I turned it off this morning just to see what they would do. They are just playing or sleeping in their dog pile on their stuffed animal. I am going to put them outside soon for the day. They have a old bird bath they play in . 3 inches deep so funny to watch them.. They have access to shade or sun all day. So if the heat lamp is no longer needed will they need a night light to allow them to eat at night ? they seem to be very busy at night as all their food is gone by morning. LOL

Not to complicate your life, but something very very low for a night light if at all. I have a night light on because a number of my runners panic - and stay panicked, by the way and I speak from experience - if the light suddenly goes completely out.

Something that saves on the electric bill is to get one of those path lights - I can get them singly at the big box store. Leave it in the sun during the day and put it in the brooder room at night.

 

[clankeyes]

Not to complicate your life, but something very very low for a night light if at all. I have a night light on because a number of my runners panic - and stay panicked, by the way and I speak from experience - if the light suddenly goes completely out.

Something that saves on the electric bill is to get one of those path lights - I can get them singly at the big box store. Leave it in the sun during the day and put it in the brooder room at night.

That's a great idea ! I love that. YEARS ago I had a cockatiel who had night terrors.

HERE is another odd question. Both of my Runners are Black.. one of them over the last week has had a white spot of feathers show up on his/her neck. I thought it was very odd.. now its getting bigger. Any Ideas??? Anyone ???

 

[Amiga]

Snow. This is my chocolate runner, Elf.

This is the flock at 3 months old.

 

[clankeyes]

Snow. This is my chocolate runner, Elf.

This is the flock at 3 months old.

Love the color.. what a cutie ! funny how their colors change. The feed store had KC, and Indian Runners. They had Black & Choc.. we were told they were black.. now ??? who knows ! & I don't care I just adore them.

 

[MWAFORD]

Ok everyone I need some advice. My Runner has been sitting on her eggs like a good momma and we are 3 days away from them hatching. I have a muscovy that I brought into the flock about 5 months ago and she has been sitting next to my runner everyday but she doesn't have any eggs of her own and she has even stopped laying her own eggs every since the runner started sitting on her nest The muscovy does not leave my runner's side. Should I be concerned about her hurting the babies when they are born?? I hate to move her because she is really attached to my runner.

 

[Amiga]

Short answer is - I cannot predict how much of a risk it is. I think both momma ducks need watching - not to cause unnecessary anxiety, but sometimes duck mommas attack ducklings. It is not unheard of. Do you have a nursery monitor or something similar?

 

[MWAFORD]

Short answer is - I cannot predict how much of a risk it is. I think both momma ducks need watching - not to cause unnecessary anxiety, but sometimes duck mommas attack ducklings. It is not unheard of. Do you have a nursery monitor or something similar?

Yes, I planned on putting a camera back out there tomorrow just to keep an eye on them. I sure hope they don't hurt the ducklings, I just raised 10 myself and was looking forward to just watching the mom take care of them this time. ha ha