Too hot for ducklings?

[aosquid]

I have a set of 3 Welsh Harlequin females that have just become a month old. They were living inside my house up to this point because it has been over 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside pretty consistently this whole summer. However, they are getting too tall for the indoor container and have also become really stinky, so I need to move them outside. I currently have them in a safe, shaded outdoor kennel building, but even though I only put them outside a little while ago they are already panting. They have plenty of water and they are in the shade, but it is still too hot for them. Even if they only spend the nights outside, the temperature remains above 80 degrees for most of that time period. Is there any way to help them cool down, or will I have to bring them inside? They aren't happy inside because they are getting too big for their container, but if the heat is a danger then they need to stay cool indoors.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will probably need to acclimate them somewhat. Start by taking them out for short periods, and perhaps leaving them out overnight. Any sudden change in temperatures either up or down isn't good for young animals.

 

[Junochick]

I have a set of 3 Welsh Harlequin females that have just become a month old. They were living inside my house up to this point because it has been over 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside pretty consistently this whole summer. However, they are getting too tall for the indoor container and have also become really stinky, so I need to move them outside. I currently have them in a safe, shaded outdoor kennel building, but even though I only put them outside a little while ago they are already panting. They have plenty of water and they are in the shade, but it is still too hot for them. Even if they only spend the nights outside, the temperature remains above 80 degrees for most of that time period. Is there any way to help them cool down, or will I have to bring them inside? They aren't happy inside because they are getting too big for their container, but if the heat is a danger then they need to stay cool indoors.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Also do you have a pool for them to swim and cool off in?

 

[aosquid]

You will probably need to acclimate them somewhat. Start by taking them out for short periods, and perhaps leaving them out overnight. Any sudden change in temperatures either up or down isn't good for young animals.

Okay, thanks. I'll try that.

 

[aosquid]

Also do you have a pool for them to swim and cool off in?

They are not able to swim without my supervision, but once or twice a day I take them swimming in a deep container to help them clean off.

 

[CarleeAnn]

My two Ducks at four months are still in the extra large storage bin beside my bed for most of the day (we had to upgrade from a smaller one at about one month but I think it was worth it to have happy ducks!) We are slowly transitioning them to be outside. When they are inside, to help with the stink we would make sure to clean the bin every day, let them bath at least twice, and have extra bedding on standby to cover any super stinky poops. They sleep outside every night now, even with hot temps because their coop is made of cinder blocks and a stone roof which seems to retain a cooler temperature. I take them out about an hour before sunset to let them stretch before bed, then I wake up at sunrise to let them out and they stay until almost 10:30-11, not quite to noon yet (the hottest time of day). If we have time we try to take them out again around 2-3.

 

[chickens really]

My Ducklings have been living outside without heat since they were 3 weeks old...I have a kiddie pool with a step made of stacked bricks inside the pool and a step outside the pool...They get in and out all day long...You can put frozen water bottles in the pool or just keep adding cold water...The panting could also be caused from being nervous...Wetting the ground in the run also helps to cool them off...Your Ducks will be fine...Keep lots of cool water out for them to dunk their heads in...