Exercise Pen with Tarp as Brooder

[DuckDuckSook]

Hey Hey! I've been checking out different brooder solutions on here and I saw this one:

I have one of these baby gate playpens and several tarps. Those of you who have done this and just unhooked the tarp and took it outside to clean off, did you have more than one tarp and swap out when you were cleaning one? I'm trying to envision where the ducks would be when cleaning out the tarp. If I have more than one tarp, I was thinking that I'd unhook one, move the gate over to a clean one, re-clip it, and then hose off/clean the other one. I'd just keep swapping it out. Does that make sense? Any other suggestions? I'm so new to this and trying to find the best solutions. Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

When I cleaned out mines brooder I put them in a clothes basket but a plastic bin would work too. That is a great idea for a brooder by the way. How many ducklings will you be getting?

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I'm getting 10 Indian Runners. I was going to get less, but I worry that a few might not make it so I think 10 is a good start. I am beyond excited. I'm thinking about getting them the end of March beginning of April. I'm just trying to be fully prepared ahead of time so as to minimize their stress and mine.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

Since I'm getting 10, do you think I could start out with the kind of brooder I have above or start with something smaller first like a plastic bin/tote?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Runners are awesome your going to be so in love! Just remember to plan shipment when your temps are going to be warm. I loss two in April last year to shipping stress and the temps here weren’t cold just cool.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Have you already ordered? What hatchery?

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I haven't ordered yet. I was going to do Metzer. I was happy when I saw Meyer is only in Ohio which isn't as far from me, but they source from Metzer anyway.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s a really great brooder set up. I like it. I used two X large an large dog crates with out doors and tie wrapped them together. Put puppy pads down easy clean up. My brooder sat on our dining table (4 dogs) and we ate on TV trays for 4 weeks until I moved them out in their coop.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Metzer is one of the best. I ordered my Fawn an white from cackle they are in MO I believe.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

That’s a really great brooder set up. I like it. I used two X large an large dog crates with out doors and tie wrapped them together. Put puppy pads down easy clean up. My brooder sat on our dining table (4 dogs) and we ate on TV trays for 4 weeks until I moved them out in their coop.

A lot of people really like the puppy pads. How often do they have to be changed out? I could see that getting pricey and I don't think they are that great for the environment. I've heard other solutions: paper towels, real towels, wood shavings, etc. Anyone have a tried and true method that works, won't break the bank, and eco-friendly?