Duck Brooders

[Lucy1712]

can I please see your duck brooder set ups?
I am going to use an indoor rabbit hutch with a towel on the floor to prevent slipping and a normal 60/100w light with a light fitting. Anyone else done this?

 

[Melodychick]

Hi Lucy, I just finished brooding my first batch of ducklings, prepare for a mess! I used puppy pads at first and when they were a week or two old, I added wood shavings on top.

 

[Alaskan]

I hate brooding ducklings inside!

As soon as possible I put them outside in a tractor.

By 1 week of age, with a heat source and a wind break it works fine even if temps are in the 40s.

 

[bex1983]

Currently brooding my first batch of ducklings....I have a 6ftx2x2 stock tank (we plan to use as a garden planter after), and in one end I have water on a cookie sheet lined with cloth diapers covered with shelf liner and food behind it off the tray, then at the end with the light I have a “den” made out of wire cooling rack covered in fleece. They are now almost 2 weeks old and I am using just wood shavings (and deeper bowl for water and open bowl for food) but I started with a base of wood shavings covered by paper towels. Throughout the day I would cover the paper towels with new ones and completely change them out each morning....I do think next go round tho I will try the puppy pads covered with shelf liner....I really envy the people who have an extra bathtub they can use when brooding indoors.

*excuse the poo in the pics, I was sending a photo of how quickly they do that to my friend....I put more paper towel down just after the photo

 

[Lucy1712]

Thank you. what have you been feeding them also? I am going out to buy food as soon as I see that they’re going to hatch lol. Knowing my luck I’ll buy the food and none will hatch like last time haha

 

[bex1983]

I’ve been feeding Manna Pro Duck Starter/Grower, but I’m on the hunt for the next food now as I will switch them to lower protein at 3 weeks. I will keep you updated on what I find/decide. Though I know if you get a chick starter make sure it is non medicated and if the niacin content (which you may need to call the company for) isn’t at least 55 mg/kg then you will need to supplement with brewers or nutritional yeast.

 

[Alaskan]

No duck starter where I am.... so I feed chick starter, non -medicated, and add farm grade nutritional yeast.