1. Brooder:
- Set up a brooder, which can be a box or enclosure with a heat source, such as a heat lamp or a heating pad.
- Ensure that the heat source is placed at an appropriate distance from the ducks to avoid overheating.
2. Heat Lamp:
- Suspend a heat lamp approximately 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) above the ducklings.
- Use a 250-watt infrared bulb to provide warmth and simulate the mother's body heat.
3. Heating Pad:
- Place a reptile heating pad or a heating disk at one end of the brooder.
- Cover the pad with bedding material, ensuring that one end of the brooder remains unheated, allowing ducklings to choose the preferred temperature.
Adequate Bedding:
- Provide plenty of bedding material, such as straw or wood shavings, to help insulate the brooder and keep the ducklings warm.
- Avoid using fabrics like terry cloth, as ducklings can become entangled and injured in the fibers.
Monitoring Temperature:
- Closely monitor the temperature inside the brooder using a thermometer.
- Aim to maintain a temperature between 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit (29-35 degrees Celsius) for the first week.
- Gradually decrease the temperature by 5 degrees F (2 degrees C) each week until ducklings are fully feathered.
Adjustments:
- Regularly observe the ducklings' behavior. If they are huddled under the heat source, it may be too cold, while panting or excessive spacing out indicates it is too warm. Adjust the heat source accordingly.
Providing Comfort:
- Arrange a separate corner of the brooder as a resting area with additional bedding.
- Provide a shallow water container for ducklings to drink.
- Ensure the ducklings have access to sufficient water without the risk of drowning.