Temperature table for ducklings from the first days of life

Environmental conditions are paramount when raising chicks in the duck yard. Ensuring the optimal temperature regime is necessary for the harmonious development of ducklings, the gradual formation of offspring resistance to external factors. High temperatures are just as damaging to the brood as low temperatures. At each stage of young growth, it is necessary to maintain the thermometer readings at certain values.

Table of the required temperature for keeping ducklings

In the first days of life, ducklings, vulnerable in the absence of a brooding duck or hatched with a brooding hen in the cold season, are placed in a brooder. The design has the shape of a box and allows you to create a favorable microclimate for chicks. Thermometer readings for day-old ducklings and chicks of the first week of life should be high enough, without sharp drops in values. It is necessary to provide the birds with warmth, exclude drafts and dampness.

For heating use incandescent lamps, special heat lamps, heating pads, heaters. The devices are placed at a distance that ensures safety and the required level of heat.

Temperature regime for raising ducklings of different ages:

You should focus on the readings of a thermometer installed at a height of 6-8 centimeters, which corresponds to the growth of ducklings. The behavior of the chicks is also taken into account: at low temperatures, the brood crowds, and at high temperatures, it often approaches the water, is not interested in food, and typically opens its beak.

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Hardening begins gradually, from a week of age. The temperature is lowered daily by 1 ° C until optimal values ​​of 22-24 ° C are reached. Thermoregulation in duck offspring is established by 14-20 days of life. Two-week-old ducklings can be left without additional heating during the warm season; in the cold season, heating ends later - at the age of 4-5 weeks.

It is recommended to transfer the brood from the brooder to a regular house from the age of one month. By this time, the grown chicks become cramped in a small area. In the warm season, after the transfer of 30-day-old chicks to the poultry house, there is usually no need for additional heating, and in the autumn-winter period the temperature is maintained by installing heaters or heat lamps.

The air temperature in the poultry house where matured ducks are kept (from 50 days of life) should not fall below +8 ° С.

What happens if you do not comply with the temperature regime

Violation of the temperature regime when raising ducks is fraught with serious consequences. In the cold, chicks quickly weaken, they become prone to illness, and physical development is impaired. In an attempt to keep warm, the ducklings huddle together and can pass each other over.

Excessive heating also has negative consequences. Ducklings are not active, eat poorly and grow slowly. Chicks pampered in warmth are difficult to adapt to normal conditions. A weak degree of resistance of an untrained organism becomes the cause of various diseases. Comfortable conditions of detention are evidenced by:

• the brood's agility and curiosity;
• even distribution of chicks over the territory;
• interest in food and water;
• harmonious physical development;
• high growth rates.

In a favorable environment, young growth is fast. The weight of a daily chick, equal to 48-50 grams, increases by the age of one month, on average, to 900 grams.

At what temperature can ducklings be released outside

Fresh air and minimal movement restrictions stimulate the growth and development of the young. But it is possible to release a brood outside, subject to certain conditions. In the first week of life, ducklings are most susceptible to the influence of various factors. Until the age of 7 days, it is recommended to keep the chicks under the brooder, maintaining the optimum temperature and air humidity from 65% to 75%.

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In the warm season, in calm weather, it is possible to accustom ducklings to the street from the age of 10-14 days, limiting the stay in the fresh air during the daytime. For the early release of young animals for walking, the air temperature should be at least 20 ° C at the initial stage.

By the age of 30 days, the chicks are getting stronger. Monthly ducklings can be released outside in the cool season, but the air temperature should not be less than +14 ° C. Full bathing favorably affects the development of duck offspring. Ducklings growing near the reservoir become strong, hardy and gain weight well. In the summer months in warm weather, it is allowed to release ducklings for bathing from one month of age.