Ducklings drinking excessivly???

[nanaluvsgps]

We have also come up with a new idea, though I have no idea if it will work or not! we put a towl under the water and covered it with the bedding. They are about three weeks now i think. They are only just getting their pin feathers in their tails, so when do I need to take away the heat lamp

 

[Amiga]

The rule of thumb is to lower the temperature in the brooder starting at 90F down about 5 degrees F per week until the brooder temperature is the same as the lowest (night time) temperature.

I used a shallow bucket under the waterer, with the waterer sitting on an upturned bowl with holes in it as one of my watering stations. Now I use the bottom of a large plastic dog crate, with sawdust in the bottom of that and the water pot inside.

 

[Miss Lydia]

One of the most important things to think about with water shavings and heat lamp, good breeding ground for mold so make sure to change bedding out and I wouldn't use a towel it will just hold the water and make a soggy mess. Putting the waterer inside something that will catch the water like Amiga said is very practical and healthier. MY duckling is going on 5 weeks old this coming week and i just took their water out of their house food too. So they haven't got water or food over night and at daylight I let them out to start a new day. Maybe others wouldn't agree with this but it works for us.

 

[nanaluvsgps]

The towl idea didn't work, just like you said it made a sorry mess. We are cleaning it once a day because it is so wet, but i'l try the bucket idea.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The towl idea didn't work, just like you said it made a sorry mess. We are cleaning it once a day because it is so wet, but i'l try the bucket idea.

Even a pie tin under the waterer will help some. I have cheap plastic bowl with lids. I cut a hole in the top of the bowl just big enough for them to dunk their heads in no bigger. That way they can wash their faces but not play in the water, when they get play time it's outside where it doesn't matter how much they splash
might give something like this a try.

 

[Amiga]

Even a pie tin under the waterer will help some. I have cheap plastic bowl with lids. I cut a hole in the top of the bowl just big enough for them to dunk their heads in no bigger. That way they can wash their faces but not play in the water, when they get play time it's outside where it doesn't matter how much they splash
might give something like this a try.

I used the same kind of thing and it worked fine.

 

[Missy60]

I used this idea also and it really helps a lot. I also used a paint tray liner under it , which can double for playing outside the pen. Just fill the end up with water they love it and it's not deep.