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bedding material for duckling!

Discussion in 'Ducks' started by kstes347, Jun 28, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jun 28, 2011 #1
    kstes347

    kstes347 Out Of The Brooder

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    Jun 28, 2011
    Grass Valley, CA
    Hi!

    I'm new to raising ducks and I want to do it right! For now, my little guy (or possibly girl now that some feathers are showing up) is growing up in a Southern California apartment with a big back patio and pesky neighbors but will be moving up to Northern California in 2 months. Harvey is ready to spend his daytime hours outdoors and I'm constructing a temporary coop/cage for him/her on the back patio. I know I need to include all the important elements such as swimming water, drinking/eating water, shade and predator protection. I bought a giant bag of Pine bedding... is that ok for ducks? The one time I tried it in his cage, he spent the whole day trying to eat it! But I figured he would get used to it. Any suggestions for bedding/ will the Pine be ok?

    I appreciate any tips or advice!
     
  3. Jun 28, 2011 #2
    CelticOaksFarm

    CelticOaksFarm Family owned, family run

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    That is fine bedding, but will get wet and need cleaning and replacing. I would build a wire bottom (welded wire/hardware cloth). Until the duckling is fully feathered I would leave swimming water unsupervised as they can tire,chill and drown.
     
  5. Jun 28, 2011 #3
    BarredBuff

    BarredBuff Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG]

    Pineshabings will work but they are so MESSY!
     
  7. Jun 28, 2011 #4
    kstes347

    kstes347 Out Of The Brooder

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    Jun 28, 2011
    Grass Valley, CA
    Ok thank you! Do you have any suggestions for what would be best to use instead?
     
  9. Jun 28, 2011 #5
    Kschwartz

    Kschwartz Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Straw and hay would be fine also! I actually just picked up a bay of hay for the first time ever today after switching from pine shavings, only $4.95 . If you are concerned about your ducklings trying to eat pine shavings, I would recommend hay/straw.
     
  11. Jun 29, 2011 #6
    dianaross77

    dianaross77 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I use Equine Fresh pine pellets. Way less disgusting than shavings. I get them at TSC.
     

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