BROODER SMELLS TERRIBLE, when can these ducklings go outside?

[drewskimac]

I have 2 ducklings that are about a week old, and their tank already smells terrible. They are in a large black stock tank with sand for bedding. I'm assuming the smells is due to the water they manage to get everywhere, as i had 6 chicks in the same tank for a month and never got one whiff of a bad smell. So, what can i do to eliminate the smell, and what age can the ducklings go outside (with a heat lamp, of course)?

 

[The Duck Flock]

with a heat lamp, you can put the ducks outside at two weeks, inside ducks are MESSY!!!!! but.... i think it is worth it

 

[drewskimac]

with a heat lamp, you can put the ducks outside at two weeks, inside ducks are MESSY!!!!! but.... i think it is worth it

Thanks so much for your input

 

[Amiga]

I am a little concerned - I know you care for the ducklings, but there are some bits of information missing.

What is the temperature? Can you keep the temperature at the levels needed for optimal development?

Stink is caused especially by nitrogen from the poop not getting air. Sand is really good at blocking air when it gets wet.

Please take a look at these various solutions for managing water.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/259876/do-your-ducks-have-water-at-night/10#post_13568197

 

[casportpony]

I also use a stock tank, but I use a towel for bedding and change it no less than once a day. Unless you change out their bedding daily, the food they spill will get wet and go rancid very quickly. Rancid food and poop is probably what you're smelling.

Here is a picture of my setup:





-Kathy

 

[Honey Maid]

If you have a bunch of old bath towels, use them. Take out the sand, put down the bath towels, one or two. Then change the towels everyday, sometimes twice a day, shake off the poop, toss them in the washer. Works great!

Hope that helps some

 

[casportpony]

If you have a bunch of old bath towels, use them. Take out the sand, put down the bath towels, one or two. Then change the towels everyday, sometimes twice a day, shake off the poop, toss them in the washer. Works great!

Hope that helps some

That's exactly what I do!

-Kathy

 

[Honey Maid]

You're probably one of the people I got the idea from

. I did a lot of research on this forum to set up for my ducklings!

 

[Kaessa]

If you have a bunch of old bath towels, use them. Take out the sand, put down the bath towels, one or two. Then change the towels everyday, sometimes twice a day, shake off the poop, toss them in the washer. Works great!

Hope that helps some

This is what I'm planning when my babies get here! I was going to do shavings at first, but the towel idea sounds so much better.



My bathtub brooder, all ready for babies later this week. Watering station is built. Just need the waterer and a food dish and I'm ready to go! I might need to build a step for them to get up onto the watering station.

 

[casportpony]

Quote: That looks great!

-Kathy