How often do ducks need access to head bathers?

[Rattee]

Hello group!

I have two questions, if you don’t mind.

I’m new to keeping ducks and I either don’t know proper key words to search, or no one has answered this before, but I was wondering how often ducklings need access to water deep enough to wash their entire heads? Whenever I put a washing dish in there for them, it’s gone in about 3 minutes, so it’s not possible for me to always fill up the dish. I did make them a waterer out of a milk jug that they can stick their whole beak into, but none of them utilize this amenity other than for shallow drinking.

To summarize and rephrase:

Can I get away with only providing them the head washing dish once a day?
And is it ok that they often chose not to wash their bills in the water that they do have access to?

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They really need to have access 24/7 while in their brooder try something like this place it on an old broiler pan with pee pads over so they don't hurt their feet. Or some type of catch pan. Once they are

5-6 weeks old they can go all night with out food and water but they need to be able to wash their heads, anytime they want especially when eating.

 

[Rattee]

They really need to have access 24/7 while in their brooder try something like this place it on an old broiler pan with pee pads over so they don't hurt their feet. Or some type of catch pan. Once they are View attachment 20845175-6 weeks old they can go all night with out food and water but they need to be able to wash their heads, anytime they want especially when eating.

Hmm, that looks really creative but they’re a bit too big for something like that. And they go through water so quickly..
On the plus side, I do always fill up their water when I feed them as I don’t want them to choke.
Any other ideas for older ducklings? They’re about 4 weeks old and huge!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I would get a bucket. I use a laundry detergent pail for all their waterers. I provide a step so they can really stick their heads in pretty far if they want to.

 

[Miss Lydia]

4 weeks I’d say they are ready for some buckets.

 

[Rattee]

I would get a bucket. I use a laundry detergent pail for all their waterers. I provide a step so they can really stick their heads in pretty far if they want to.
View attachment 2084734

great idea, thank you
The big question: how do you get them to not swim in it?

 

[Rattee]

4 weeks I’d say they are ready for some buckets. View attachment 2084972

That’s adorable

 

[Isaac 0]

Now where are the pictures of the little ones?

 

[Miss Lydia]

great idea, thank you
The big question: how do you get them to not swim in it?

if you look closely at mine? These are heated buckts for winter and they think are their own personal hot tubs hence the piece of wood screwed over half.

 

[DuckyDonna]

great idea, thank you
The big question: how do you get them to not swim in it?

once they get big enough they just don't. @Miss Lydia has a board over part of hers that you can see if you look close.

When they are smaller they will climb into it but once they are feathered out they are too big. Sometimes my runners will stick their heads so far in the bucket it looks like they are standing on their heads. But, they've got longer necks than most ducks.