Is this safe?

[Jimdeau]

My ducklings chew on the plastic and news paper and I don't know if it's safe I don't know why either I thought it was because of the Styrofoam but I removed it and they still chew. I am worried because I have nothing else waterproof that won't ruin my walls or floors. I'm ordering a kitty pool though so soon this would all go away but I still don't understand why

 

[sourland]

Ducks/chicks are extremely inquisitive and test everything to see whether or not it is edible. Ducklings need water deep enough that they can completely cover their bills to assure that their nares do not become clogged.

 

[Jimdeau]

Ducks/chicks are extremely inquisitive and test everything to see whether or not it is edible. Ducklings need water deep enough that they can completely cover their bills to assure that their nares do not become clogged.

Okay! Hopefully they will find out asap and not continue to chew on it. I also got an extra waterbowl that's deep enough for that, is there a limit to how deep I can go though?

 

[sourland]

Okay! Hopefully they will find out asap and not continue to chew on it. I also got an extra waterbowl that's deep enough for that, is there a limit to how deep I can go though?

It can be a real catch 22 as ducklings want to play in and can make a mess with water. One solution is to provide 'deep' water a couple of times a day. 'Too deep' does not exist for ducks except for the potential for mess.

 

[BelovedBirds]

My ducklings chew on the plastic and news paper and I don't know if it's safe I don't know why either I thought it was because of the Styrofoam but I removed it and they still chew. I am worried because I have nothing else waterproof that won't ruin my walls or floors. I'm ordering a kitty pool though so soon this would all go away but I still don't understand why

I would remove it asap, incase they are able to actually swallow any newspaper, and the plastic if possible for them to tear. I had the same issue with my ducklings and my walls, but thankfully solved it with a simple heavy duty tarpaulin. You can find them online for pretty speedy delivery usually, the plastic is thick, strong enough that they aren't able to tear it or anything.
Also I agree with Sourland, a deeper container for water would be a good idea, especially since they're on wood shavings- lots of dust/small pieces which can get in their nares.
It should be deep enough to dunk their entire bill, but preferably in my experience the water should reach up to their eyes.

 

[ruthhope]

My brooder is a deep plastic box. I used a kiddy pool for pekins, but when later I got a muscovy, I discovered muscovy ducklings can jump, high jump! So I bought a storage box with a lid from Walmart [cheaper than Home Depot] that even a determined muscovy cannot jump out of. However, by the time it was 4 weeks old, it was trying to jump out and so I had to fashion a chicken wire cover to stop it. I couldn't use the box lid without drilling air holes and I knew I was going to store brooder equipment and starter crumbles in it between broods and keep it in my shed.

I now have a small rescued, grey, speckled barred rock chick in there -- it has started to crow and was about to be abandoned in the woods when I stepped in and brought him home. He's small but has long legs and can jump!!! So there are advantages in getting a storage tub to brood your ducklings

 

[BelovedBirds]

My brooder is a deep plastic box. I used a kiddy pool for pekins, but when later I got a muscovy, I discovered muscovy ducklings can jump, high jump! So I bought a storage box with a lid from Walmart [cheaper than Home Depot] that even a determined muscovy cannot jump out of. However, by the time it was 4 weeks old, it was trying to jump out and so I had to fashion a chicken wire cover to stop it. I couldn't use the box lid without drilling air holes and I knew I was going to store brooder equipment and starter crumbles in it between broods and keep it in my shed.

I now have a small rescued, grey, speckled barred rock chick in there -- it has started to crow and was about to be abandoned in the woods when I stepped in and brought him home. He's small but has long legs and can jump!!! So there are advantages in getting a storage tub to brood your ducklings

bless him! I'm glad you were able to take him in.