i have just hatched some ducklings in an incubator and they are now under a heater lamp in shed. i lost one on day three which i assumed was just how things go. it never looked quite right. but now another has the same slightly shut eyes, panting abit more heavily and more reluctant to move about. has anyone got any ideas? i would like to get them outside in the light, air and fresh grass but it is still abit early days regarding the heater lamp.
what sort of temp do they actually need? i am trying to wean them off the lamp - putting it on 'low' once the day has warmed up. they are now 2 weeks old and i am wondering if, with sunny days and windbreak around the run, then they could go outside without the lamp.
does the lamp dry their eyes? sounds a bit silly but thats what it looks like. i've given them a deeper pot of water so they can immerse their heads.
any advise would be gratefully recieved.