Ducklings Come today! Help me decide!

[AAcres]

I'm picking up my babies at 1 this afternoon...about 3 hours from now where I am.
For their bedding in the brooder, I don't know which to go with...
Softwood shavings
https://www.tscstores.com/78L-PREMIUM-QUALITY-SOFTWOOD-SHAVINGS-P3442.aspx
OR
Fine Straw
https://www.tscstores.com/STRAW-FINE-PROCESSED-P55600.aspx
or I am open to other suggestions but I have to get something today!
I'm also wondering about keeping water in the tote I'm using. I've seen people put holes in containers big enough for their heads, does this work?

THANKS! I'M SO EXCITED

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I would use straw. My Daffy senior died because she choked on wood chips. I have a tub with a lid on it and I drilled holes on the lid for drainage. You could do that.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Holes for their heads I don’t recommend because they might get them stuck and then they choke and die. And don’t use plastic if you do this because cut plastic is SHARP!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here is some info on brooding ducklings with a good pic of a home made waterer. I am using a chick warterer for mine till they are a little taller and can use one of these easier. As long as they can dunk their nares.

I like the thick pine shavings but for first week or so I use old clean towels just shake wash and reuse., I have a ton since I have dogs too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings.750869/#post-10611711

 

[chickens really]

I use pine shavings. They do great. I breed and raise Calls.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Yes for my older ducklings (youngest is 3 weeks, oldest is 7 weeks) I use this setup

 

[danceswithronin]

I would do pine shavings over straw just because I think it would smell better. That being said, I'd probably put a few layers of paper towels on top of the bedding the first few days until the ducklings get used to where their feeder is, so they don't accidentally try to ingest pine shavings when they're hungry.

I do this with chicks and usually remove the paper towels the second or third week. The paper towels help keep the bedding more clean too because you can just discard them twice a day and lay down fresh when you replace the water and food.

 

[Knighstar679]

You could also use puppy pee pads at first too.

 

[chickens really]

Ducklings will eat paper towel. I just use pine shavings and these water bowls with bowls of feed. They learn.

 

[AAcres]

I do have a bag full of old clothes I was going to donate. Maybe I'll just pull out some old tshirts for now and lay those down? I will also pick up a bag of the wood shavings. The softwood is okay? I've used these for my horse stalls before and they are pretty decent sized flakes.
I have a small container like what you showed in your first picture Chickens Really.

I'll see how their first night goes and adjust from there