Are Ducklings messier than Chicks?

[chasehope]

the problem with ducks is that they NEED their food near their water source. When they eat crumble, which is what most babies are eating, they have to get some in their mouth and then run over to the waterer and take in some water to wash it down. They have a hard time swallowing otherwise. That is why there is always water in the food and food in the water. That is a BIG reason that its not recommended to keep them with chickens. They make a HUGE mess. And also, don't think that they get any better when they are older, its just BIGGER messes. But I think that they are worth it!

 

[justduckie]

Quote:
That explains it! I couldn't figure out why we had so much of their feed in the waterer every time I would re-fill the waterer. I have to rinse it out each time!

And.....they are still terrified of me. They run to the far corner and jump on each other trying to get away. I don't get to spend that much time with them so that's probably the reason. I did notice today that if I sat quietly after feeding, watering and changing their wet bedding that they would drink and eat and just give me the eye every once in a while.....which is better than a few days ago.

They do love their "nest".....the box with the bedding in it. They are soooo nice and warm when I hold them straight out of the box. And surprisingly, they keep it nice and clean, unlike the rest of the tub.

I'll have to decide what do to with them once they are big enough to go outside. I had at first planned to keep them with the chicks but now I'm thinking of making a special "Duck Hut". The yard is big enough for all of them (about 60X30) and if I need to, I can always make it bigger. We have 5 acres to expand on!

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. At least now I know more about my baby ducks.

 

[bantymum]

Thats great, but be sure you give them a mud pudddle, they look so cute when they paddle their feet to splosh around in it, looking for worms. im sure they can smell worms in the mud!!!
I had a worm farm and they kept poking it trying to get in.
My duckies sleep in the pond as well. they are nuts. dont they get cold??
Have fun
Helen

 

[Cheri]

Two of the ducks I have left I raised from ducklings and I used to have them trained to go into a pen. That is until the bobcat kept trying to eat them. For some reason "Bob" won't mess with them at night if they are loose. I would prefer adult ducks than ducklings.

 

[peacock 05]

Are ducks messier than anything