The Duck Thread

[Amiga]

Hello. We have 16 ducklings scheuduled to ship from Metzer Farms next week. I have an extra large dog crate set up as a brooder for them for the first couple of weeks and was wondering if one heat lamp would be enough for them or should I expect to have to use a second. Our coop is built and ready to go when they outgrow the crate. I want to make sure everyone will have enough heat and if I should go ahead and get a second lamp or is that overkill. Thanks for your thoughts and experience.

How exciting!!!

What I did was set up the brooder with a thermometer and test it out before the ducklings arrived, to be sure I could get it to and maintain it at 90F for the first week. What I did not plan for was that they splash alot of water, and that lowered the temperature by 10 degrees F.

Do you have water management plan? Do you have a duckling-safe thermometer you can put right down in the brooder to monitor temperature?

 

[Gabby2016]

How exciting!!!

What I did was set up the brooder with a thermometer and test it out before the ducklings arrived, to be sure I could get it to and maintain it at 90F for the first week. What I did not plan for was that they splash alot of water, and that lowered the temperature by 10 degrees F.

Do you have water management plan? Do you have a duckling-safe thermometer you can put right down in the brooder to monitor temperature?

Yes, I have a thermometer I got from Tractor Supply that has the degrees and weeks listed for ther ducklings. They are scheduled to ship 10/31 and arrive 11/2. I plan to have everything set up by the ship date. I was worried that just one heat lamp wouldn't be enough for the number of ducklings coming. I am hopeful we don't lose any during shipping, but I have only read good things about Metzer's. I also have planned to use a pan with a cooling rack on top for water management. I saw this on a couple of the posts here for brooder ideas. I have a waterer to hopefully help with that as well. Do you think one lamp will be enough for 16?

 

[PINOAK RIDGE]

Hello. We have 16 ducklings scheuduled to ship from Metzer Farms next week. I have an extra large dog crate set up as a brooder for them for the first couple of weeks and was wondering if one heat lamp would be enough for them or should I expect to have to use a second. Our coop is built and ready to go when they outgrow the crate. I want to make sure everyone will have enough heat and if I should go ahead and get a second lamp or is that overkill. Thanks for your thoughts and experience.

Gabby,

Congratulations on your upcoming ducklings. John Metzer and family have a nice hatchery and they are wonderful to work with. What breed or breeds are they sending? I know you stated an extra large kennel, but what are the dimensions, as they can vary quite a bit from manufacturer. You may be surprised how quickly ducklings grow the first few weeks and how messy they can be. But they are so cute and so much fun.

 

[Gabby2016]

Gabby,

Congratulations on your upcoming ducklings. John Metzer and family have a nice hatchery and they are wonderful to work with. What breed or breeds are they sending? I know you stated an extra large kennel, but what are the dimensions, as they can vary quite a bit from manufacturer. You may be surprised how quickly ducklings grow the first few weeks and how messy they can be. But they are so cute and so much fun.

I believe it is 54x35x45. Will this be enough space? I have done tons of research and thought I was planning appropriately, but any input you can give would be grateful. We have our coop built which is 16x8 and have a place to hook the heat lamps if still necessary when they outgrow the brooder. As I said to Amiga, I'm wondering if I need an additional lamp for the number of ducklings to arrive.

I have my Gabby who wandered into our yard about 2 1/2 months ago and we have adopted her. She has imprinted on me and will run to me when I get home and in the mornings when I go to let her out. She'll sit and untie my shoes and she loves some mud! I am excited to have some companions on the way for her. We have a plan to keep her separated but close to the babies as they grow and to introduce them slowly. I tried to attach a pic of her, but it tells me I don't have permission. Oh, well. Let me know your thoughts on the kennel. Thanks!

 

[Gabby2016]

@PINOAK RIDGE and @ Amiga... I finally figured out how to post pics. This is my sweet girl Gabby. She is about 6-7 months old, but not sure because she just showed up in out yard a couple months ago and has never left. She is giving us a large, beautiful egg every morning. Some companions should arrive for her next week as I posted earlier. 4 Golden 300, 4 Blue Swedish, 4 Rouen, and hopefully 4 Welsh Harlequins.

I love my Gabby she is so cute and entertaining!

 

[PINOAK RIDGE]

I believe it is 54x35x45. Will this be enough space? I have done tons of research and thought I was planning appropriately, but any input you can give would be grateful. We have our coop built which is 16x8 and have a place to hook the heat lamps if still necessary when they outgrow the brooder. As I said to Amiga, I'm wondering if I need an additional lamp for the number of ducklings to arrive.

I have my Gabby who wandered into our yard about 2 1/2 months ago and we have adopted her. She has imprinted on me and will run to me when I get home and in the mornings when I go to let her out. She'll sit and untie my shoes and she loves some mud! I am excited to have some companions on the way for her. We have a plan to keep her separated but close to the babies as they grow and to introduce them slowly. I tried to attach a pic of her, but it tells me I don't have permission. Oh, well. Let me know your thoughts on the kennel. Thanks!

Sounds like it should work. If you need something bigger, maybe you can still find a kiddie pool? Kiddie pools work pretty well for indoor brooders.. One heat lamp for 16 ducklings should be enough for ducklings in the house. You will just have to figure out how to secure it over one half of the pen to get it to desired temp. Make sure they have ample room to get away from heat, should they get too warm. Many a duckling has died from overheating, d/t not being able to get away from heat. Just think, if they were with mom, they would be running around at the outside temp. Then once they became slightly chilled, would huddle under momma to warm up, then back out to explore. We put their food and water just outside the circle of heat, so they can exercise, explore, eat & drink as they normally would. Sounds like you already thought ahead to the water situation to decrease waste and mess.

BTW, Gabby is beautiful. Glad you figured out how to post pics. Look forward to seeing the ducklings.

Hope this helps. Good luck & enjoy your ducks.

 

[MandyJ]

I believe it is 54x35x45.  Will this be enough space?  I have done tons of research and thought I was planning appropriately, but any input you can give would be grateful.  We have our coop built which is 16x8 and have a place to hook the heat lamps if still necessary when they outgrow the brooder.  As I said to Amiga, I'm wondering if I need an additional lamp for the number of ducklings to arrive. 

I have my Gabby who wandered into our yard about 2 1/2 months ago and we have adopted her.  She has imprinted on me and will run to me when I get home and in the mornings when I go to let her out.  She'll sit and untie my shoes and she loves some mud!  I am excited to have some companions on the way for her.  We have a plan to keep her separated but close to the babies as they grow and to introduce them slowly.  I tried to attach a pic of her, but it tells me I don't have permission.  Oh, well.  Let me know your thoughts on the kennel.  Thanks!

If they get crowded you can go to a furniture store and get a dresser box (something large). This is what we did. They grow so fast it's hard to keep up. Line the box with plastic to. keep the water out.
For their first swim use a paint roller pan. It has the ramp for the roller that they can walk in and out of. It's not deep enough for them to drown but they ca. play.
Good luck abd enjoy!

 

[PINOAK RIDGE]

Oh, also be careful when using a heat bulb. Ducklings can drink, then sling water. Water on a hot heat bulb= busted heat bulb. Always a risk of fire, glass and ducks w/o heat. Ceramic heat bulbs are an option, but seems like they only warm directly underneath, in which case you may need more than one for 16 ducklings. You will need to experiment with the thermometer at different locations in your "box".

Hope this helps.

 

[Gabby2016]

If they get crowded you can go to a furniture store and get

Get ?????

 

[MandyJ]

Get ?????

Sorry. See the above post.