ducks arrived!

[HSerChickLady]

So far these guys are doing well. They're eating and drinking like crazy. They were so vigorous when we got them home they were jumping out of the box! The only thing i noticed was one had dried poop on her bum, but it wasn't near her vent so i don't think she has pasty butt, but i'll keep track to be sure. They refused to use their EcoGlow at first but once i moved it up a setting and herded them under there they seam to be enjoying it now.

They're making one heck of a mess of their brooder already and they've managed to stink up the whole house as well. I have paper towels on top of shavings in there. How long should i leave the paper towels in for? And my DH is wondering if they'll stink less when their poop is going into the shavings instead of on top of the paper towels? Is there any way to reduce the stink? He is not good with stink like this.

 

[Tahai]

the stink gets worse, not better. do you have a garage you can set your brooder up in?

 

[jessiduck]

The stink does get worse, but hay is the best odor reducer! Put puppy training pads underneath to catch water/poop spillage and you're good to go! Changing is required at least twice a day.

 

[HSerChickLady]

Oh, boy. He's just going to love this. lol! I don't have anyplace to put them outside. They're in our dining room right now-it's the only space we have for them. Maybe he can just burn a candle in his office? That's far enough from them that the smell won't make it to where they are and will give him a reprieve from the stink. On nice days we'll have the windows open too which should help.

I'llhave to remember the puppy pads and hay. Maybe i can get some puppy pads next trip to town.

 

[jessiduck]

Yes, you can buy puppy pads at Petsmart or Petco! Hay you can get at your local feeder's store. I buy the huge bails of it, but you can buy as much//little as you see fit! Good luck with your babies!

 

[HSerChickLady]

We have a Petco i hope to get to in a few days. But i've got chicks not doing so well and need to be here to care for them right now. The ducks will just have to stinkup the house for now. Hay won't be a problem-we have a horse so i can just snitch hay from her.

 

[jessiduck]

Great! Hope your chicks feel better

!!!!

 

[HSerChickLady]

Great! Hope your chicks feel better

!!!!

Thanks, but i don't hold out much hope. We had one DOA and three more that weren't doing well. One of those passed away a little while ago. Another one is very, very weak. The third is still anyone's guess.

 

[jessiduck]

Oh man, I'm so sorry for the loss

! Praying for your others who are still hangin' in there!

 

[Lute]

Baking Soda under the wood shavings in the brooder box REALLY helps.