Paper towels not working for duckling bedding

[sunflour]

Lol! No, ducks are so messy the last thing I would want is a pond in with them. I use a kiddie pool for my full grown ducks and dump is every 2-3 days. As long as they can dunk their head in water they should be fine. Not quite the same as chickens but they are personable so I take the trade off.

My 6 hens are only on sand - run, coop and nest boxes. Just sift and throw in compost…really easy. Ducks really do seem like they would be much more work.

Just wondering, do ducks demonstrate unique personalities? Chickens do - and that was the greatest surprise when I got mine.

 

[jtn42248]

I have twice had ducklings to brood. I tried the pine shavings, the puppy pads, etc. They all worked to varying degrees but they were always a mess. Shavings, etc get wet and had to be completely removed. Puppy pads got messy and were easier to remove but several times a day just racked up the cost. Finally I just started using old towels and rags. They get messy and wet, are easy to roll up and take out, shake them off and toss them in the washer to reuse. Some other things I discovered, mainly here on BYC, make yourself a water container out of an old large soda bottle. Sideways cut an opening big enough for them to get their heds in but not big enough for them to get in completely. They will still splash out a lot but it is a lot better than a bowl of water they think is a pond. You can pretty much do the same thing for their food. I love my ducks and would not trade them for anything. Besides being so cute as babies they grow up to be cute as adults.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Heres one for small amt of ducklings https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/426909/non-spill-duckling-waterer/10
another one
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/52173/less-mess-duckling-water/10

and all time favorite just because i love looking at the water fowl..great brooder idea also