Good duck waterer for ducklings?

[lothalvalleyfarm]

I've got some 2 week old ducklings using the 1.5 gallon duck waterers from TSC and they're already at the point I have to fill it 3x a day. They'll probably be in their stock tank brooder another week and then they'll be too big for it and put in a barn stall.

I'm hoping to see some designs I can use in the barn stall that will last longer for them. Are the standard 3 gallon chicken waterers workable for ducks or should I use something special?

 

[21hens-incharge]

That is a lot of water!
How many quacklings sharing it?

 

[StinkyAcres]

You sure you don't have a leak? Chicken waters won't work as they are not deep enough to allow the ducks to clean their nostrils and dunk their heads.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I did this to keep the mess down for a group of 7 for the first week or two then switched to a deeper water dish. Technically it was a stoneware pasta bowl that I covered 1/2 with a wood frame and hardware cloth to keep them from bathing in it.

 

[MGG]

I like these 3 gallon ones. They will guzzle the water everywhere and make a mess, but I don't really care usually as long as they have water. I just change wood chips often.

 

[lothalvalleyfarm]

That is a lot of water!
How many quacklings sharing it?

16 in one brooder and 14 in the other

 

[lothalvalleyfarm]

You sure you don't have a leak? Chicken waters won't work as they are not deep enough to allow the ducks to clean their nostrils and dunk their heads.

Yeah it's not leaking, they're just stepping in it and tracking it around everywhere. Good to know on the chicken waterers.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

For a smaller option you can clean out a plastic tub and cut a hole in the side about 3”-4” diameter. You can also make a waterer with a drill, a hole saw attachment and a plastic 5 gallon. It prevents them from stepping in it and from flinging around so much water. I set mine on a plastic boot tray from tractor supply. Once mine reach full size I use just a 2 gallon bucket sitting on the boot tray. Not my pictures, but this is what I am talking about: