Duck brooder help?

[Rethia]

Hey all!

I'm incubating duck eggs for the first time ever (eleven khaki campbell and three pekin). It's going to be a staggered hatch starting early July and I'm trying to get my proverbial ducks in a row with the brooder setup. Right now, I'm brooding some icelandic chicks in an XL dog crate lined with cardboard so they can't squeeze through the bars. I have a duck waterer that I can string up and move higher as they grow, and a trough feeder as well as a hanging feeder.

So first of all, I'm very confused about water access. I've read that they need water deep enough to dunk their heads, but not for the first 1-2 weeks, but they might if their bedding is extra dusty? Up to this point for my chick brooder, I use shredded brown paper and cardboard mixed with straw and then I do deep bedding method, as the bedding gets stinky, I add more bedding on top. I use the "dust free" cut straw from TSC. I know that ducklings are a lot messier and water goes everywhere so I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to cut down a little bit on mess, but still allow them to be a little wild with their water.

I use a Brinsea ecoplate for the chicks and see no problems with using that for the ducklings, just keeping it further away from the water.

I'm not sure what to use for the feeders? Do they need something more like a dog plate? Can I use my circle hanging feeder for the ducks?

I got an all-flock 20% protein Purina feed from TSC. I don't know if it'll have enough niacin for the pekin ducks (if they hatch). I've seen different things about protein amounts for ducklings, some sources saying that 20% protein is ok for the first 1-2 weeks, but it's too much for after that? I'd really rather not buy multiple feeds if I can avoid it.

As far as entertainment goes, it's gotten warm enough that I can take them outside into a run to forage a little after they are a week or so old, but is there anything I can put in their brooder for the first week or two?

Thanks for help! I'm still learning as I go, but trying to do the best I can on the front end.

 

[BoundlessLove]

This is what I do for ducklings:
All flock starter feed non-medicated will be fine.
Ducks need a smoother surface for their feet. I use shelf liner from the Dollar Store. Cut it in strips to fit the bottom of the brooder. Rinse off daily and set outside to dry. You will need to have extra pieces to rotate out.
For the waterer, I place a tin camping plate under the waterer. That way the water stays on the plate and I just empty it as needed.
Give them room temp water only.
For feeder, I just put feed in the bottom part of a chick feeder and set it on something. (wood or another tin plate)

 

[BoundlessLove]

You will still need to keep the cardboard lining so the ducklings can’t slip through the bars.

 

[Rethia]

You will still need to keep the cardboard lining so the ducklings can’t slip through the bars.

I fully intend to keep the liner! I helped my friend with a niacin deficient duck before and I am fully aware of what poop rockets ducks are.

 

[BoundlessLove]

Also, ducks take longer than chicks to pip and zip. Lots of patience needed.