Drinking too much water??

[KimM]

We got 4 Cayuga ducklings today and they have been at their water non-stop! Is this normal? They are eating as well but I haven't even really seen them sleep- they are just constantly over at the water dish. Should I be limiting them somehow??

 

[70%cocoa]

Sounds totally normal

Waterfowl just love water.

Are you using a light source as your heat source (i.e. a light globe)? If you switch to a ceramic heat emitter that does not put out any light you may find that they sleep a little more.

Ducks tend to sleep in short-ish bursts followed by a period of activity, then they sleep again. Not like chickens which are awake during the day and then sleep all night. Ducks can be awake or asleep any time of day or night.

 

[Oregon Blues]

They are ducks. Water is their number one favorite toy.

Get used to it.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Sorry, not thinking.

If you just got them from the hatchery, they get their water limited the first day. Let them have water for about 15 min and then remove it. Let them wait about an hour and return the water for 15 minutes. Do that 3-4 times, and then they can have water all the time.

If they came from a feed store, they are already drinking, so just leave the water in with them.

 

[KimM]

Thanks-

I am using a heat lamp, so there is light. I didn't know about the limiting water in the beginning so they have had it all day, hopefully it will not cause a problem for them.

 

[destinduck]

Id just take it out for the night if they can get their bodies wet. If not let em have at it.

 

[mandelyn]

I gave my 3, 3 week olds a gallon size poultry waterer and I have to refill it twice a day. Same container lasted 5 chickens 3 days, just to let you know what you've gotten yourself into with this duck thing. LOL

I wonder if they make a 10 gallon waterer with a very small drinking hole, just the size for ducks? Haha.

They're not drinking it all, they're slinging it all over the place while they buzz through it with their beaks. When my husband was on a trip to Lowes, I called and asked him to check goodwill for towels. He found 2 bags worth for $2 each!

The brooder now has thick towels in it that I can pull out and wash and replace, so much better!

Now if I can find a solution for the 3 week olds I'd be happy, they're outside in the big bird brooder.

 

[RaZ]

My 5 go through water like no tomorrow. They seem to fling most of it around so I put a large flower pot saucer under the waterer to keep the beddijng dry(er).

 

[KimM]

I am glad to know it is normal. I knew they were going to be messier than chicks, and they sure are. They are so cute though, it's okay

I was just worried that it was bad for them to drink so much, that they'd get over hydrated or something. But, since they seem to be doing very well I'm guessing they aren't taking in more than they need.

I was thinking about using towels under the waterer also. I do have a plate under it which helps somewhat.