Wildfire smoke - keep ducks in?

[Andrea PNW]

Hi all - Washington State like much of the west is being crushed by wildfires. Right now there is a blanket of smoke sitting on most of the state that is the worst I've ever seen and our air quality is rated as "harmful" for extended periods of exposure.

I assume staying in is smart for all breathing animals but just wanted to confirm with this group that I should keep Barbe and Ed in their duck house and not let out in their pen. Their duck house is the shed so it's pretty big but I feel bad not giving them kiddie pool time or literally keeping them "cooped up".

Thanks!

 

[KaleIAm]

I’ve been wondering the same thing. Birds’ respiratory systems are quite sensitive, so if it isn’t safe outside for us I’m sure it isn’t for them. I feel like I shouldn’t be letting them out, but since their barn isn’t air tight I’m not sure the air quality is any better in the barn vs outside, so I’m letting them out anyway. I only have 3 ducks so I thought about bringing them inside the house. I’m not sure if I should.

 

[Kat_withducks]

Ugh, same thing here, we’re in Seattle. Our ducks have seemed uneasy since the smoke moved in - they aren’t exactly laid back in the best of times, but they seem more skittish and louder now. I just saw that the air quality isn’t supposed to improve until at least Thursday when we’ll get some rain. We don’t really have an option for them though, so I think they have to stay out.

 

[Andrea PNW]

Ugh, same thing here, we’re in Seattle. Our ducks have seemed uneasy since the smoke moved in - they aren’t exactly laid back in the best of times, but they seem more skittish and louder now. I just saw that the air quality isn’t supposed to improve until at least Thursday when we’ll get some rain. We don’t really have an option for them though, so I think they have to stay out.

Yeah - Barbe and Ed have seemed to be fine thus far and all they really care about is the dandelions in what now is a dead field of grass. I kept them in half day yesterday but they've been out and about all day today.

The wild birds seem to be doing fine as well.

 

[KaleIAm]

I'm not completely sure how I would tell if they are doing unwell. I imagine they would be less active or gasping/coughing/open mouth breathing? I almost brought them inside our house last night, but I'm not sure the stress of living in our bathroom is worth it. They are used to living in a duck palace and I'm sure they would be very upset to find themselves in a bathroom.

 

[Andrea PNW]

I'm not completely sure how I would tell if they are doing unwell. I imagine they would be less active or gasping/coughing/open mouth breathing? I almost brought them inside our house last night, but I'm not sure the stress of living in our bathroom is worth it. They are used to living in a duck palace and I'm sure they would be very upset to find themselves in a bathroom.

Ditto!