Bedding For Ducklings

[Buttercup725]

Hey, everyone!

I have three Pekin ducklings and am currently using towels as bedding. Ya, I know, it’s awful lol. So, what I’d like to know is what is the best bedding options for my little ones? I know the clean up is going to be a lot regardless but I would like something that helps soak up their poop and pee and the mess they make in the water. They are about a week old, fyi.

I did manage to find an older post referring to the same thing and someone mentioned puppy pads and shavings. What are your thoughts/opinions? They’ll be inside with me for a while so convenience is definitely something I’m looking for. They do have outside area they can run around in once they get a bit older. They’re definitely not going to be strictly indoors. Could you imagine?

Pictures for cuteness overload
TIA!

 

[fatty and friends]

puppy pads under the water bowl keeps the entire area waaaay cleaner! we use hemp bedding and it's 100x cleaner (less smell and more absorbent) but they are also more expensive

 

[BabyGotQuack]

Hey, everyone!

I have three Pekin ducklings and am currently using towels as bedding. Ya, I know, it’s awful lol. So, what I’d like to know is what is the best bedding options for my little ones? I know the clean up is going to be a lot regardless but I would like something that helps soak up their poop and pee and the mess they make in the water. They are about a week old, fyi.

I did manage to find an older post referring to the same thing and someone mentioned puppy pads and shavings. What are your thoughts/opinions? They’ll be inside with me for a while so convenience is definitely something I’m looking for. They do have outside area they can run around in once they get a bit older. They’re definitely not going to be strictly indoors. Could you imagine?

Pictures for cuteness overload
TIA!

Nothing is going to help with the water mess

But when I’ve got ducklings I line the bottom with newspaper and then cover with pine shavings. The newspaper just makes it so you can roll it up and get rid of it easier. But a puppy pad would be better for more absorbency.

They’re so cute! Keep the pics comin!

 

[Buttercup725]

Nothing is going to help with the water mess

But when I’ve got ducklings I line the bottom with newspaper and then cover with pine shavings. The newspaper just makes it so you can roll it up and get rid of it easier. But a puppy pad would be better for more absorbency.

They’re so cute! Keep the pics comin!

Lol you’re right about the water mess! Guess I worded that wrong.

 

[Buttercup725]

puppy pads under the water bowl keeps the entire area waaaay cleaner! we use hemp bedding and it's 100x cleaner (less smell and more absorbent) but they are also more expensive

I think I’m leaning towards the puppy pads and pine shavings. That or go to the dollar store and investing in cheap towels! I hate laundry lol.

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

I like the puppy pads in the brooder, they make clean up a lot easier than pine shavings. I start to use pine shavings when they move to the coop.

 

[Buttercup725]

I like the puppy pads in the brooder, they make clean up a lot easier than pine shavings. I start to use pine shavings when they move to the coop.

Do you use just the puppy pads or lay them on top of towels or whatever or underneath something?

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Do you use just the puppy pads or lay them on top of towels or whatever or underneath something?

For the first day or two after hatching I put a towel on top of the pads to help any babies who are still wobbly on their feet, but after that I use the pads only.

 

[Buttercup725]

For the first day or two after hatching I put a towel on top of the pads to help any babies who are still wobbly on their feet, but after that I use the pads only.

Good to know! Mine are about a week old. I know this most likely depends on how many ducklings you have but how long do the pads typically last?

 

[WhiteTreeOfGondor]

Good to know! Mine are about a week old. I know this most likely depends on how many ducklings you have but how long do the pads typically last?

It does depend on how many ducklings and how old they are, but once they're over 2 weeks old I'm changing bedding twice a day for 2-3 ducklings.
Yours are so cute. I planned to start hatching again in March but I don't think I can wait that long!