Too humid outside for ducklings?

[WhitF]

I have two ducklings here in NE OK that just hatched yesterday. The heat index today is 115! Should I bring them in and have them under a brooder so they don’t overheat? We have a third duckling we adopted (mom and sibs were killed so we took him since we have other ducks) and he’s already inside in a brooder so they’d all be together. I just don’t want to bring them in and cause an issue with the temp change.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are they with a mama duck? How do the look? plenty of fresh water and not in direct sun? What is the temp in the brooder?

 

[WhitF]

Are they with a mama duck? How do the look? plenty of fresh water and not in direct sun? What is the temp in the brooder?

Brooder is inside! Two are with mama. It’s 93 out with 58% humidity and “feels like” 107 according to my weather apps. The coop is in the sun, with accessible shade. Also lots of water!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How do mama and ducklings appear? do they look over heated or in distress? Mama maybe having a harder time than them. Just make sure whatever water you put out is shallow so the ducklings don't climb into and can't get out and drown. Mamas water can be set up on something to keep the ducklings from getting into it. You go by your gut but it would be a shame to take the ducklings from mama after she just hatched them unless you see they are in distress.

 

[WhitF]

How do mama and ducklings appear? do they look over heated or in distress? Mama maybe having a harder time than them. Just make sure whatever water you put out is shallow so the ducklings don't climb into and can't get out and drown. Mamas water can be set up on something to keep the ducklings from getting into it. You go by your gut but it would be a shame to take the ducklings from mama after she just hatched them unless you see they are in distress.

For sure! I’ve been checking and they seem okay so far. They both have water and food and I just keep going to check on them. Yes I’ve been thinking of putting the loner I have with them but I’m not sure if she would take him in or not.
I’ve seen them get into Mama’s water on 2nd or 3rd day of hatching and do just fine and that’s with two different hatches I’ve seen do that. I’ll watch them though. Hers right now isn’t easy to get into or out of until they’re bigger.

Thank you so much for replying! I really appreciate it! I’ve had ducks a few years but this is the 3rd hatch and I still get nervous with these temps!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old is the one in the brooder my Muscovy will accept other ducklings for a few days after hers hatch. Might be worth trying if you can get mamas attention away from the ducklings long enough to slip the one in with them. Of course you'll have to stay and make sure it is going to work.

 

[WhitF]

How old is the one in the brooder my Muscovy will accept other ducklings for a few days after hers hatch. Might be worth trying if you can get mamas attention away from the ducklings long enough to slip the one in with them. Of course you'll have to stay and make sure it is going to work.

I think the one in the brooder is 5 days old-ish? It’s smaller than the ones that just hatched. I believe it’s a mallard or Rouen, and the ones hatched are Swedish/khaki Campbell mixes.

I was thinking of maybe putting the little one in a small crate and putting that in with the mama and babies so they can all see each other and such, and gauge their reactions, then try to mix them if it seems like it will work. Kind of like how you do new chickens to a new flock I think?