Brooding Ducklings???

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Either one of the cages would be fine, but you should probably put shelf liner on top of the wire. Ducks' feet were not meant for wire floors! You could have a box of some sort in there for them to sleep in, and this is where you could keep a heat light the first week or two. Will the cage be inside?
If you decide to put them on something else, I would highly recommend using pellet bedding. It absorbs the water and the stink much better than shavings do.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

We are thinking of using the big Rubbermaid bins but will all 15 (if they all hatch) ducklings fit in here and for how long? Do ducklings eat the bedding or is it safe to use right from the start?

I've seen several ideas for waterers, including cutting squares out of a milk/juice jug just big enough for them to get their beaks in. What do you use and what works best? This is our first time with ducks so we're pretty clueless. They will be in the house for a while so DBF can keep a close eye on them. All info welcome and appreciated!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
When my ducklings were itty-bitties I actually used the base of a quart waterer. I took a cup from a thermos and placed it in the center with water, then put their feed in the base of it. The water they splashed out went into their feed, and their feed and water were close

You just would have to keep an eye on it to make sure they don't run out. With a lot of ducklings, I would think you would be better off using a large box as a 'cage'. They get really big, really fast, and you don't want them outgrowing their brooder too quickly! You could put linoleum or something down for the bottom and use cardboard to surround it. Then put some pellet bedding on top. I did use the cutout milk jugs for mine once they got bigger, but they even get too big for those. I eventually put a 3 lb coffee can in their brooders for the water and just dealt with it. But the pellet bedding is very absorbent, I would use that any day!

 

[Lucky Ducky]

I took 2 large rubbermaid totes, drilled 8 holes in one side of the bottom for drainage in one tote, put blocks in the bottom of the other one, then put the first one ( the one with holes) on top. My brooder is sitting in a bathtub that has a slight slope. The end with the holes is pointing downhill. I put a mix of pine shavings and corn cob bedding in it and made sure to put the water at the end with all the holes. Now any water mess will drain out and allow the bedding to dry. I will just have to dump & clean out the bottom every so often. So far it's working great!

 

[ticks]

I kept mine in a clothing basket that I bought for a dollar or two at a wal-mart type store, I had to change the shavings daily. Also, when it warms up quite a bit they can be outside around for a while, with supervision they follow you everywhere!

 

[Wifezilla]

After making and using the double decker brooder method, I can say it works well for about 3 weeks. Then the darn ducks start to grow so fast you just can't keep them in a tub.

I turned an outdoor utility closet in to a brooder and my babies spent the night outside with a heat lamp. I was nervous the whole time.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
Oh, I know what you mean! I moved mine outside at about 4 weeks old. It was kinda warm, but it was cool at night. I must have went outside to check on them 100 times the first few nights they were out there!

I used their rubbermaid tote brooders as houses for them, by cutting a hole in the lids. Then I used a heat lamp shield and 100 watt light bulb inside it. They were just fine. Ducks can handle a lot more than we give them credit for!

 

[Wifezilla]

When I first got my adult ducks I was worried about some really cold nights. Hubby put it in perspective for me...

"Relax! The freaking ducks are made of DOWN!"

 

[SamG347]

I have 4 of the 8 eggs developing and only have 3 more weeks to go lol. I'm thinking of using a coated wire cage. But might also just use a box. Anyone have pics of their duck brooding setups??

 

[Wifezilla]

Here ya go

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=143262