Better Way to Provide Water for Ducklings

[RaZ]

My ducklings are a week old now and can empty a waterer in no time. It seems like most of the water goes in to the bedding as they drink. I've tried a raised water source, one on the ground, large and small containers and most of the water seems to go everywhere. I don't mind changing the bedding everyday but there has to be a better way to keep the water in the bowl and not in the litter.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[bt03]

There really is no way to keep the bedding dry. You can try putting a larger tray or pan under the waterer to help catch a little bit of the water that gets spilled. If you do a search of the forum there are lots of great pics and ideas for a slightly dryer solution.

 

[peepsandquacks]

I use the waterer for both food and water and it has helped A TON! I fill up the water bottle, screw on the feeder, flip it, and quickly put food in the back half - 3/4 of the water dish. I then let it fill up. The food stays soggy, and the front always has water in it. I then put it into a small plastic dish that is slightly bigger then the waterer. This has kept my ducky box completely dry, and they dont suck down so much water.

 

[Balbinka]

Start with a shallow plastic tub (one small enough to fit into your brooder or pen, low enouhg for the ducklings to hop onto)

Secure wire mesh over the tub (small enough to the ducklings may stand on it safely) REMOVE SHARP EDGES!

Place the waterer over the mesh that has been secured to the tub

Now, when the ducklings make a mess- the water will be caught in the tub. You can re use the water for your plants or to water the ducks again if it is clean!

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

i just use a shallow plastic food container with lid. I cut a corner off the lid so they only have enough room to put their face in when drinking. This has really helped keep my brooder much dryer. If you keep the food a little away from water, they are less tempted to keep switching quickly back and forth while dribbling so much water on the way. I also use puppy pads for ducklings instead of litter. Then I can just roll it up, throw it away and replace with new.

 

[RaZ]

Well, I found a large flower pot saucer that I put under the waterer. That seems to be working so far. They still fling the water but the bedding is much dryer.

Still can't believe how fast these guys are growing!

 

[Emmalion]

I just have them in my bathtub with the water over the drain. The only thing that gets wet is the rubber liner thing I have down that catches all the food and water and lets it drain at will. Super easy clean up and they enjoy swim time when I am cleaning all the dishes and towels.

 

[2txmedics]

I had the same problem, there bedding became very soggy and they were babies!!! I did find an answer when I moved them outside to there new coop though....I took this bottom part you see here

and then got there waterer and I placed it inside the green tray...I put that into there coop, and I had shavings on the coop floor, so when they drank water they either reached there necks in, or got into the green container and drank and then jumped out. It worked wonderful at keeping there bedding dry.

Inisde when they were babies, I used this same cage for them...and what I did is took two towels and placed it on one side so the cage was slanting, low end where the water was...this kept the water at one side and the mess...and they moved back to the dry side. it was the only solution I could find at the time and I was new to ducklings.

Now my problem is there POOL!!!!! dirty in one day,almost black water

 

[FenDruadin]

It's true that the water goes everywhere, but there are ways to minimize it. Also, if you're using a chicken waterer, check that it's sitting level. I had to learn over time that a chicken waterer that is in the pen at an angle will empty itself out in no time, even if it doesn't look like it's draining. If the water level is higher on one side than the other, the water can leak out through the little holes where the top latches onto the bottom.

Putting a tray under the waterer is an excellent idea, too. This at least limits where the water goes after it is sloshed out.

Good luck. Ducks and water--what a pain!

 

[RaZ]

Quote:
New thought...when can I start letting them have swim time? I've had them for 11 days now and they are starting to get feathers.