Duckling bedding - what absorbs good?

[Fawkes]

I forgot how messy ducklings are!

I have 3 ducklings who are almost a week old and I'm just using thick paper towels right now but it doesn't absorb well enough.

Can you use aspen shavings or hay when they're under 2 weeks old? I'm afraid they might eat it.

I might see if a couple of folded pieces of fleece will work.

What do you all use?

 

[fatty and friends]

we use eaton pet and pastures hemp bedding for our flock, mixed with wood shavings

 

[ruthhope]

I have always used pine flakes bedding, not the fine stuff, in the brooder and had no problems. I put washable textured vinyl shelf lining underneath so that the ducklings do not slip as they run about and get splayed legs. Best not to use hay as it can have mold and fungus spores in it particulalry when it is humid.

I recently had a sick adult duck in the house and used puppy pads in his dogcrate, for the first time. I have always placed the dog crate on a tarp and used pine shavings, before. There was far less mess with the puppy pads, which are abosrbant of the liquid poop. But they are expensive.

I think in the future, I will use puppy pads for brief stays in a dog crate in the house, but continue with pine shavings in the brooder -- which doesn't cause a mess because of the high plastic walls -- and for longer stays in the dog crate. [My rescues need 28 days quarantine at the mometn becuase of avian flu]

 

[Quatie]

A big help is how your water is set up. It helps to have something under the water to catch the splashes out water. Also using waterers like Tupperware with holes in the lid help too. That way they can't get into the water and splash it everywhere.

Here is an example of one of the containers I use.

 

[Fawkes]

Thanks! I'm going to look for a container like that to cut holes in. I think it is mostly the water that's causing so much mess! Especially because they step all in the water bowl.

I forgot that hay could come with mold spores in it, that's true. I'll avoid that then.

I might try hemp or shavings, depends on if I find the fleece easy enough to manage - I haven't tried it yet. Maybe with a water container that they can't step in, there won't be so much mess, and the fleece would be ok for dealing with their poop. Multiple fleece since I'll still need to change them at least a few times a day I think.

 

[fatty and friends]

if you are gonna use fleece, reusable puppy pads might work better. i use the “pet parents” brand for my ducks and they work great. and way cheaper than buying disposable puppy pads every day lol

 

[raingarden]

For the first couple of weeks we use wood shavings and a one-quart fount set up on a block of wood, all in a plastic tub. Wet shavings still have to be scooped out every day and replaced with fresh.

When that becomes unmanagable they go into a wire cage that can be hosed out. There, they get a tray of new shavings and a tray of clean water every day.

It seems like it takes an eternity before ducks no longer need heat and can be moved out of the brooder stage. They're a lot more work than chickens.

 

[indianaducks]

I put a layer of puppy pee pads on the bottom of the brooder, and then a layer of pine shavings. Then roll it all up and replace it all as needed. It's still nasty but its the best I've come up with. I also have tried various ways to keep the water mess to a minimum as that's the biggest culprit when it comes to messes. I actually think ducks are easier than ducklings with regards to heat (mine rarely need much heat after about a week), but chicks are way easier with regards to messes.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I put a layer of puppy pee pads on the bottom of the brooder, and then a layer of pine shavings. Then roll it all up and replace it all as needed. It's still nasty but its the best I've come up with. I also have tried various ways to keep the water mess to a minimum as that's the biggest culprit when it comes to messes. I actually think ducks are easier than ducklings with regards to heat (mine rarely need much heat after about a week), but chicks are way easier with regards to messes.

X 2. Same for me

 

[DukesDucks]

I also put the water on an oven pan. Doesn't completely contain the water mess but I find it easier to pick up and empty the pan twice a day as I change the water.