EATING FLUFF

[motherduckling]

Hi So My duck has now found out if he pecks enough at the absorbent pads on the floor he can pick out the fluff inside of them and eat it. 1, will this harm him and 2, how do i stop it as he is tearing them apart!! or 3, is there anything else I can use that he cannot eat!!

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

Is it a full grown duck or a ducking?

If it's a full grown duck, what are you using absorbent pads for (im not attacking you, I'm curious)

If it's a ducking, is that your brooder bedding?

 

[orloffer]

It would probably be best to remove the absorbent pads and use paper towels or something instead. Do you have shavings or some other bedding on top of the pads?

 

[Bird_Lover_17]

It would probably be best to remove the absorbent pads and use paper towels or something instead. Do you have shavings or some other bedding on top of the pads?

I agree.

 

[motherduckling]

He is 7 weeks old, Its what i use to cover my carpet when hes indoors playing just to help with the following about with wet wipes picking it up every two minutes!!. he is playing with it really, pulling it up and then when there is a little hole he starts to peck the fluff out and eat it. He has only just started doing it, my fault i think as i made a hole in one by accident and he was straight on it. now it seems he thinks oh this is fun ill do it myself. using paper towels he would rip them up and eat them with excitement in minutes lol !!

 

[sourland]

Eating that much undigestible fiber is not a good thing.

 

[motherduckling]

That's what i am worried about. I will have to take them away it has only just started in the last hour or so. hes playing with my slippers at the moment so distracted him for a bit. I have some rubber runners I can put down in stead. thanks for the advise

 

[LT71689]

I used a few layers of old bedsheets and old towels they could chew their little hearts out on without actually eating anything - they were real big on textures and loved nibbling on everything and anything just to explore what it was so nothing was safe from chewing (and then they all went right in the laundry when I penned them back up) you could probably also get away with a giant painters tarp - plastic or canvas (canvas would be washable) at the hardware store. They also make waterproof sheets you can toss in the laundry but they're very pricey so I'd only recommend them if bringing the ducks inside or having a house duck is the ultimate long-term plan. If its just gonna be a few more weeks I'd go for one of the cheaper and/or disposable options

 

[motherduckling]

Ive sussed it. i have turned them upside down. they are shiny on the back he has stopped doing it and its easier to wipe up the mess !!! quids in lol.