Oh goodness Yes ducks are messy! Dh and i have agreed to Never brood them again. But some lady called me and i took in her 6 tsc ducks, but it warmed up and they are in the big coop with everyone else now. It is onlu really while brooding them that it is aweful. We deal with it by only giving them a small amount of water at a time and using Large shavings. Idk if tsc sells large shavings. I get mine from my co-op. The bag is white with a purple beaver on it. We also rigged up a feed holder. I wish i had a pic of it. Dh took some 2x4 fence and wrapped around the feeder, which is a long metal feeder, and hooked it to the side of the brooder. Our runner ducks are also hard to catch cuz theyre fast and wiggly. But we love them.
Keeping them with chickens didnt work for us cuz the ducks were bigger and would step on the chicks and the chicks pecked the ducks feet very badly making them bleed. Ducks cannot have medicated feed, so if you have both just get non medicated. Tsc sells dumor and purina brands that are non medicated. Once they are out of the brooder my ducks and chickens free range peacefully. Ducks like to sleep on the ground but i have a large shed for a coop so it works for everyone.
Good luck!
Oh and ducks take longer to feather out.
Keeping them with chickens didnt work for us cuz the ducks were bigger and would step on the chicks and the chicks pecked the ducks feet very badly making them bleed. Ducks cannot have medicated feed, so if you have both just get non medicated. Tsc sells dumor and purina brands that are non medicated. Once they are out of the brooder my ducks and chickens free range peacefully. Ducks like to sleep on the ground but i have a large shed for a coop so it works for everyone.
Good luck!
Oh and ducks take longer to feather out.