ducklings & heat lamps

[Blondie]

Hi
I am rearing 3 Indian runner ducklings seperate to the mum as a predator got one of the ducklings. I have had them under a heat lamp indoors for 3 weeks. Yesterday they spent the day outdoors in their own enclosure. Do they still need the heat lamp indoors in the evening?
Blondie

 

[mdenham]

They would still need heat towards the evening and at night-time. You don't have to use the heat lamp, however. You can put them together in a small cardboard box with straw/wood shavings at night time. This will help them to keep warm while at the same time saving on the electricity bill. The box should be relatively small in order to retain the heat.

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Hiya Blondie

welcome!

I have the same at the moment, only I have a few more. Outside during the day in the sunshine, and they brood each other if needs be. But I give mine a heat lamp at night in a large straw area so they have free choice. That way they also have a dry area and an area for feed and water which they make a right mess of!

Sorry to hear you lost one I have put fruit cage mesh over the top of my outside pen just incase, I have seen a sparrow hawk in the garden recently, and crows and gulls can get very bold at this time of the year.

Zo
x

 

[NEWTODUCKS]

I reared 4 runners last year without mum and they were outside in their duckhouse and own enclosure from 3 weeks. It was August and fairly warm.They were just fine, although I had been "hardening" them off for several days before hand-out in the day and in at night.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks so very much for your replies, I will keep them outside in the day and in at night under the heat lamp for another week

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Keep us posted They tell you what they need, they huddle if they are cold and pant if they are too hot.
It is getting wet you need to worry about, they must be able to get warm and dry after bathing or they can chill easily.

zo
x