How to stop them from mobbing the waterer

[kargo]

Hey guys. So my duck addiction struck again. I started with four, then the plan was to get 3 more. I got four more. Anyway, all 8 have taken to rushing to drink from their waterer all at once. They make a huge mess out of their brooder, an dI don't want to clean it literally every five minutes. What do I do?

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I have no idea but it was enough to make me never want to hatch ducklings again! Once I moved them outside, it was a whole new ballgame. Hang in there - it will get better.

 

[Homesteading_Bound]

I put mine up on a small brick...just to get it off the floor...

They can make a mess and what a mess they can make!!!!!!

But they are adorable!!

 

[citalk2much]

Sorry had to laugh
I don't think there is a way!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I can't figure out WHY they do that??? When they are older and have access to water all day, they barely drink at all. I don't get it.

 

[citalk2much]

You should hear see and smell around 200 of them wow
That is what I get to look forward to in the morning LOL they lose their cute really fast!

 

[Duck Keeper]

Search "Milk jug waterer" on this site. It works!

I should know, I used it for all of my ducks. Hopefully you can find pictures.

The good thing about them is that they can get their head into the water to clean their beaks out, but if you leave the water level a little lower, the only water that comes out is usually the stuff that drips off of their beaks.

 

[yotetrapper]

Milk jug waterers are a must for ducklings imo. Basically you take a milk jug (right now I'm using a plastic Folger's coffee can) and you cut holes, I cut 4, one in each side, halfway up the jug, big enough for the ducks to get their heads in but no bigger. It really cuts down on the mess!! Dont cut your holes too big like I did last night, LOL. I heard splashing and thought "Huh??" so i went and looked and the little beggars had gotten their whole bodies through the holes and were SWIMMING in the coffee can. So much for not letting newborn ducks swim....grrrr.