Duckling brooder

[dishfickle]

Hi all! Just ordered 12 female runner ducklings. The most I've ever done is 6. We have a chicken coop that we were thinking about using with a space heater with a thermostat, but then there's the scorching daytime temps. It has a18" x 36 inch opening covered hardware cloth. I don't know what to do. We've always kept them inside, but 12 is a LOT. A kiddie pool inside? How on earth do I clean it?

 

[CoriM]

If you're struggling with how to take care of them maybe you should just scale back your order.

 

[dishfickle]

If you're struggling with how to take care of them maybe you should just scale back your order.

Too late. BB I'll figure it out. I know what to do, I was just hoping to hear some other ideas

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Hi all! Just ordered 12 female runner ducklings. The most I've ever done is 6. We have a chicken coop that we were thinking about using with a space heater with a thermostat

Space heater sounds dangerous to me. Maybe get a Brinsea heat plate or a 100 watt reptile heater in a clamp lamp.

I raised 12 Runners in a 110 gallon stock tank before. It worked rather well!
I wouldn't trust Runners to not try to jump out of a wading pool.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Some use a kiddie pool inside but it will have to be a large one to keep 12 Runners in.

 

[Jenbirdee]

you got good advice ^^^ I hope they thrive for you, getting new ducklings is SO MUCH FUN , enjoy them!!

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hi all! Just ordered 12 female runner ducklings. The most I've ever done is 6. We have a chicken coop that we were thinking about using with a space heater with a thermostat, but then there's the scorching daytime temps. It has a18" x 36 inch opening covered hardware cloth. I don't know what to do. We've always kept them inside, but 12 is a LOT. A kiddie pool inside? How on earth do I clean it?

by the way for cleaning time i put them all in my bathroom tub with just a little little bit water , clean the brooding tank, then bring them back (i like to wrap them in towels to help dry a bit too)

 

[dishfickle]

Space heater sounds dangerous to me. Maybe get a Brinsea heat plate or a 100 watt reptile heater in a clamp lamp.

I raised 12 Runners in a 110 gallon stock tank before. It worked rather well!
I wouldn't trust Runners to not try to jump out of a wading pool.

Sounds promising. I get what you're saying about the heater. It's a fan thing, but it makes me nervous as well. Thanks a lot

 

[FNF]

What did you end up going with? I have a smaller scale dilemma in that I have three ducklings going on three weeks old. I want to transiton them from my upstairs bathroom tub (they are eyeballling the edge and I’m afraid they’ll jump) to the downstairs somewhere. I live in VA and while it’s not hellish here in the mountains, it’s in the 80s in summer a lot of the time. We have a “vestibule” sort of dog/mud room I thought would be perfect with this pen (pictured) but it’s hot in there even with windows open. Then I thought a large dog crate just inside in the laundry room where the temperature is regulated. Or maybe a kiddie pool with hardware cloth around it in there. I’d love any success stories or tips I can get!

 

[CoriM]

I am thinking a dog crate will be too small. I have used plastic wading pools with a lot of success - go for the bigger size if possible. I have used them with 2 foot hardware cloth around the edge the first time I did it, then after that I never used it for other groups. They figure it out and stay put for the most part - I've had them jump out if they get scared by lightening or something startles them.