has anyone actually had a problem with sawdust? (Shavings, oops)

[duckyfromoz]

I have been raising waterfowl for 26 years...I really couldnt remember what I used way back that long ago- but it was about 4 - maybe 5 years ago I swapped over to pine shavings. I wouldnt use anything else now. I have been hatching larger numbers over the last few years- so thats one reason the shavings work for me. If I only had 2- 3 ducklings I was raising as a once off- I might look at doing things differently- but for the high numbers I have now- shavings are the only real option. The there are two different types of puppy pads available- one that uses a fibrous substance such as cotton to soak up the fluid- and the other that is a synthetic polymer gel. I wouldnt ever use the polymer type- as the ducklings could eat the absorbent inner if the outer lining gets too wet.

 

[NYRIR]

I personally like hay.I just "peel" the top layer off every day and add new to the top.That is,unless they DUMP the waterer! I have figured out a way to stop that though

 

[Happyflower]

It is actually cheaper to buy those disposable bed sheets from Wallgreens and cut them to the size you want. They hold more water and often they are on sale or buy one get one free packages.

 

[Quacking]

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I do that in the coop, but have never tried hay in a brooder. I love just rolling it up, as it makes it so easy to clean. I leave it in a roll and wrap it around trees out in the yard to act as a mulch around the base of them. I just use shavings in the brooder. I line the tub with newspaper then sprinkle the shavings in, and when they are soiled I put it all into the compost.

 

[NYRIR]

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I do that in the coop, but have never tried hay in a brooder. I love just rolling it up, as it makes it so easy to clean. I leave it in a roll and wrap it around trees out in the yard to act as a mulch around the base of them. I just use shavings in the brooder. I line the tub with newspaper then sprinkle the shavings in, and when they are soiled I put it all into the compost.

My set-up is a plastic bin with a hole cut in the side(leaving a lip on the bottom)...the bin then slides into the side of a wooden box we built.The plastic bin is slightly tipped away from the box so any water that spills is always in the plastic side.I fill both boxes with hay.The wooden side never gets wet because of the tip...I keep the water in the plastic side and the food dish in the wooden side.I usually just have to refresh the top layer...
forgot to add....it makes it really easy to clean as well because you can just slide the plastic bin out of the box,take it out to the compost pile,dump and hose it out ( well, that is if it's not 1 degree out and the hose isn't frozen

)

 

[DuckLover179]

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I use the Cotton base puppy pads. I have heard of people being worried about their ducklings ripping up the cotton and eating it, but mine have been on it since day one (And they eat EVERYTHING) and I haven't had any problems with it. But I do agree, pine shavings can also be used, if supervised until you are sure they aren't eating them.

 

[nettie]

for the first week, we placed puppy pee pads over the saw dust (pellets) and they were just fine.... shaving can cause cuts on feet which can lead to infection... we switch two years ago and haven't looks back since..


ETA- they will rip it open and eat it... but then they just poop it out... it's like extra fiber! lol... never had a problem...

 

[kuntrygirl]

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Roger that. I agree. Cute little ducklings !!!!!!!!

 

[duckyfromoz]

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The cotton type ones at least are mostly a natural fibre - but the synthetic polymer ones have little " expanding bead " type structures that hold the water. Its the same kind of thing they use in dispoasable baby diapers. They are the type I would recommend not to be used with ducklings - or any animal for that matter- a friend has a puppy that made a horrible mess with them in the laundry while she was at work- glad I didnt have to pay the vet bill or clean up that mess. The dog chewed up the pads- and did injest some of the lining as well as the plastic backing.