Duck Owning Germaphone Recommendations?

[Kangasox]

I will preface this by saying I read and read and read how messy they were and understood. But I don't think any amount of reading can prepare you for reality! But, it's totally manageable and I do not regret getting them at all.

However, I have 10 ducklings in a baby pool. I mainly want to make sure I am using best Practices. I am washing hands after we handle them, bleach spraying the sink after I wash out their food and water. My main question is:

-I have 3 little kids. Are there any gross diseases I need to look out for Or worry about? I make them wash their hands, but they are kids.

Also, how long are they going to last in this brooder? I am trying to contain their mess in a tote within the brooder, but they are already growing fast, I don't see how they are going to fit and get to food/water before long.

What is the minimum nighttime temp they can withstand in a weather tight but unheated and unelectrified shed? I hoped to keep them in for 6 weeks, but I'm already getting nervous...

 

[needlessjunk]

I have 2 young boys. At first I was super paranoid about germs and as time went on it's not really much of a though. If your ducks are healthy I don't think you run a big risk, wash hands after and be smart. I will say my kids have handled our ducks plenty of times, especially in the yard and then have eaten after with out washing hands. Was that smart? No. Do I try to avoid it? Yes, but like you said kids are kids. My kids also wallow in the mud and chase the ducks out water bins that the kids have claimed to play with. We wash hands a lot and I think that is the best practice. I did buy hand sanitizer to use but I really don't like it or use it, however it is great when we have friends visit with kids and handle the ducks.

As to your kiddie pool. It isn't going to last till 6 weeks. I used one for my 4 ducklings and it lasted 5 1/2 weeks. With that many ducklings I would say it is going to last maybe 2-3 weeks.

It is really going to depend on your night time temps as to when you can put them out. I don't feel comfortable putting them out before 6 weeks if it is around 40 or lower at night. They will provide some heat to each other and I error on the side of caution with temps.

 

[Kangasox]

Thanks for the input! I know from past experience the same will probably happen here. I will just get desensitized and not grossed out. The liquid poo water just might take some time!

I have no idea what else to do with Them. We have nowhere else to put them in a small house, and I don't want to separate them Into 2 brooders. We are in NC, and it's already in the 50s and 60s at night, so I guess I will see where we are in a few Weeks.