[twizzel]

I've got 5 duck eggs that are due to hatch Tues/Wed this week. I candled them last night and am sure they are pipping internally so put humidity up and will leave them to it. Thinking about the brooder, I'm going to use a big plastic storage box, but can anyone give any ideas on how to get the lamp above it? I don't have anywhere in the house I can hang a lamp up. Do people use a proper heat lamp or just a infrared bulb? Thanks

[little blue]

we have a heat lamp with a chain for hanging ... we attach it to a sturdy music stand!
One of the benefits of being married to a musician!

You just need something higher than the box - a clothes airer? hat stand? (!)

[shygirl]

we have used a broomstick with a light tied to it, balanced on something or other, if we weren't using our homemade pens - )which have hooks in the roof to hang the lamps).
 just test the heat first incase it is too hot.
if you have a dog crate, then put the plastic box inside that and put a broomstick between the bars to hang the lamp off. iv always used a proper lamp with a metal safety cage thingy as im always scared it will catch fire if it falls.

[doganjo]

The white ceramic bulbs are better - less risk of going on fire

[NicandChic]

We used a mic stand to hang ours from, depending what your using to feed them I made a little wooden stand to put the food/ water on to stop then pooping in it, good luck 

[HesterF]

Personally I just use a Brinsea brooder - electric hen thing rather than bulb - which feels much safer. I was mostly going to say that a plastic storage box will not last long for ducklings. They grow at a phenomanal pace - far quicker than chicks (and I have six chicks in a storage box that are now looking cramped at a week old!). So make sure you have your next step lined up!

H

[thestephens]

I bought a brinsea brooder heater too this time and for the first wee while we have them in an indoor rabbit cage in the utility room!

[twizzel]

Next step is a large (huge ) crate, step after that is a fox proof pen down in the sheds! Thanks, I did look at the electric brooder but it seems quite expensive, will try and fashion a stand for heat lamp first

[Daisys Mum]

Usually hang my lamp from a step ladder, I have found with ducklings an inflatable paddling pool works really well

[plumseverywhere]

We have a long hook screwed into the wall (similar to the one I hang my cheese muslins on to drip the whey away).   Currently 4 chicks in our brooder and like you, size of box will be increasing swiftly!

Other chick(s)  is under mum in the broody coop.   

[little blue]

whey away

say it out loud - really made me chuckle!

[plumseverywhere]

 

[sokel]

I use the large size plastic Zoozones for newly hatched , being plastic up the sides keeps the mess in and the draughts out. then as it has a barred top you can connect a bulb fitting onto the top. I just use a normal bulb

[Steph Hen]

My brooder is a single bed frame with solid sides and wire panels on top. Ceramic heat lamp hung on chain from ceiling for warmth. I block off half the space till they're a few day old as I worry they might end up at the cool end and not make it back. Never happened mind. After a few days they seem to enjoy the space and zoom up and down. Used a large fish tank in the past, followed by a three foot sq box brooder. but now I like them having more space, I wouldn't like to go back to smaller model.

[goosepimple]

A trug with a towel in the bottom for grip, a sturdy twig or dowel if you have, threaded through the handle loops at the top of the trug and tie the (ceramic) heat bulb to it with garden wire (hook it round so you can adjust).  Worked very well for us for the first week.