Food and water question.

[Sublime69]

First time duck owner and I have 5 ducks that are 2 months old now. I have a couple questions. First, how can I keep the coop more dry? I have a large plastic waterer and I fill it every night when they go back in the coop and by morning it's all gone and most is on the floor. Is there a better option for the coop water?

Second, I currently keep the large feeder in the coop. Can I keep it out in the pen? Do I have to keep food in the coop at night if they are outside all day?

Thanks!

 

[Ohio ducks]

Hi there. I own a small organic duck farm and I know your water trouble. To solve the problem your describing, I let them stay outside all summer long. That way they don't dirty up their coop. During the winter I don't give them water at night. I give each pen of 15 ducks 10 gallons of water per day, plenty to keep them hydrated and then some. As long as they drink during the day they shouldn't need water at night. Hope this helps!

 

[Sublime69]

So at night I don't have to give them water or food??

 

[Ohio ducks]

I never put food or water in the coop. I change their water and feed them an hour before dark. This way they have ample time to eat and drink before it gets dark. You also have far less food waste because they can eat whatever they drop on the ground. Your coop will also be cleaner.

 

[BackYard Sheena]

I can take pictures in the morning for you if you'd like but this is what I am doing.

I used to use the round feeder that you find for chickens but the holes are small and my ducks were growing. My mom had a trough style feeder that stands on short legs. I started using that and their food is staying very clean now!! They still spill some out of their mouth and on the floor but at least water, poop, and pine shavings stay out of the food.

Someone told me a trick to keep their bedding from getting wet with the waterer. You take a large in diameter but shallow in depth pan of sorts. He suggested a dish like you place under a flower pot. And place hardwear cloth across that and set the waterer on top. I put a small scrap piece of wood in the middle under the hardwear cloth to help support the weight. That dish always caught nearly all the water from them playing and being messy.

My ducks are about to turn 7 weeks old now so they are about the same age as yours. Their weight stepping on the corners of the hardwear cloth has recently been causing them to spill their water. So this morning I had my husband cut a hole in their house (we are using a homemade dog house that my sister no longer needed and wanted rid of) and we've stapled a piece of hardwear cloth to the floor to cover the hole. The floor of the house is raised about 4-5 inches off the ground, so I am hoping this will have about the same effect but keep the water more secure since it is level with their feet and not raised. Tonight is their first night with this set up so I can update you in the morning (with pictures) if you would like!

 

[Sublime69]

You say you feed them before dark. So do you only give then food at certain times? I have been leaving their feeder full at all times. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Sublime69]

I can take pictures in the morning for you if you'd like but this is what I am doing.


I used to use the round feeder that you find for chickens but the holes are small and my ducks were growing. My mom had a trough style feeder that stands on short legs. I started using that and their food is staying very clean now!! They still spill some out of their mouth and on the floor but at least water, poop, and pine shavings stay out of the food.


Someone told me a trick to keep their bedding from getting wet with the waterer. You take a large in diameter but shallow in depth pan of sorts. He suggested a dish like you place under a flower pot. And place hardwear cloth across that and set the waterer on top. I put a small scrap piece of wood in the middle under the hardwear cloth to help support the weight. That dish always caught nearly all the water from them playing and being messy.


My ducks are about to turn 7 weeks old now so they are about the same age as yours. Their weight stepping on the corners of the hardwear cloth has recently been causing them to spill their water. So this morning I had my husband cut a hole in their house (we are using a homemade dog house that my sister no longer needed and wanted rid of) and we've stapled a piece of hardwear cloth to the floor to cover the hole. The floor of the house is raised about 4-5 inches off the ground, so I am hoping this will have about the same effect but keep the water more secure since it is level with their feet and not raised. Tonight is their first night with this set up so I can update you in the morning (with pictures) if you would like!

Pictures would be great! Just trying to see the different options. Thanks!

 

[BackYard Sheena]

Pictures would be great! Just trying to see the different options. Thanks!

I wanted to say I haven't forgotten about getting pictures! It has just been raining a lot here past few days and I didnt want to get my phone wet by taking it out there when I take care of them. I will try to get it as soon as it stops raining lol

 

[BackYard Sheena]

I've had a time trying to update this picture from my phone. Not sure if it was the browser or the mobile site giving me problems! Finally made it on the desktop today though to get it uploaded



The floor under the waterer has a hole that I stapled hardware cloth to so when they spill the water it drains under neath. This isn't working perfectly of course but it does keep the left side of their bedding from getting wet and I don't have to worry about them sleeping in a wet bed. I guess once they are fully grown I may consider moving the food outside and only feeding during the day. Especially since my 3 will be expanding to 7 soon (4 babies inside in the brooder).