I know you all know this but..

[annie3001]

The Duck ABC's :

Did I see a swimming pan in the cage? That has to go. They do not need playing water, and you don't want to encourage water playing in their cage either. They do not need swimming water. If you want them to swim take them into your bathtub and watch them while they have fun. Dry them off when they stop playing and put them back under the brooder. After that you still end up cleaning 2-3 times per day, but it is less of a wet mess.

i didnt know that. i figured they need a swimming pool too. i would hate to take it from them. gonna see how this set up i have works out.​

 

[Amiga]

I had eleven runners in the brooder. Very little smell, and once I got the water managed, not so much mess, either.

Set up a watering spot with something under the waterer to catch the splash. You might also try a towel or other absorbent material that you can change more frequently than the rest of the bedding. There are many ways to do this, just search the forum.

They need water, and they cannot help splashing. I found that before I got the splash under better control, the brooder dropped ten degrees from the damp bedding. Once I was able to keep it from getting so wet, it was much easier to get the brooder up around 80 or so and then drop five degrees a week as recommended.

The ducks were in the house for three months due to a really late spring. It was not smelly, so I know it can be done. I did need to keep trying different things, as the ducks grew. But it was a fun challenge.

 

[Lamar Estate]

Shaving and other absorbent materials didn't work for me. With a heat lamp on, I found that mold could develop quickly, even when removing damp spots daily.

I have found that it's best to give them a lot of living space.

I had three 3 week old ducklings in about a 2 1/2' x 4' (1 1/2' height) fenced-in enclosure with a double layer of towels underneath them. There was a felt-backed plastic tablecloth underneath the towels to protect the floor. This was inside my home office. The water and food bowls were placed inside a Tupperware steamer/colander (http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htp...tegory_code=10201&fv_item_number=P10058979000). Water and food spills mostly fell inside the removable steamer/colander, which then dripped down to the bottom base.

I washed the towels once or twice a day.

(Top 2 pictures were taken before I added the shelving spacers. Sorry about the poop in the background.)

 

[Mrs. BJ Hensley Jr.]

Quote:
i didnt know that. i figured they need a swimming pool too. i would hate to take it from them. gonna see how this set up i have works out.

I had to find out the hard way that if they have a swimming pool in there that at any time is UN-supervised they, like children, are highly likely to drown. I put a deep pot in with my ducklings. They were different ages and it was supposed to be for the tall ones that are 1 month older than the others to get a drink out of. Well, they all fell asleep by the water pot and the smaller ones climbed up the mound of sleeping ducks and got into the pot... couldn't get out... and died. well, actually it was 2 of them. Please only let them get in water when you supervise!

 

[annie3001]

Mrs. BJ Hensley Jr. :

Quote:
i didnt know that. i figured they need a swimming pool too. i would hate to take it from them. gonna see how this set up i have works out.

I had to find out the hard way that if they have a swimming pool in there that at any time is UN-supervised they, like children, are highly likely to drown. I put a deep pot in with my ducklings. They were different ages and it was supposed to be for the tall ones that are 1 month older than the others to get a drink out of. Well, they all fell asleep by the water pot and the smaller ones climbed up the mound of sleeping ducks and got into the pot... couldn't get out... and died. well, actually it was 2 of them. Please only let them get in water when you supervise!​

oh i am so sorry you did have to learn about duckling drowing that way. i am aware of that, and the water bowl thingy i am using is now my casserol glass dish. they easiy get in and out in there. but i noticed which searching the forum, alot of people just use bowls of water for drinking etc. i have a chicken water feeder, however i thought it was wide enough. perhaps thats whats splashing about. anyways, thanks everyone for your great feedback!!!!!!