just hatched ducklings

[ChiknNuggets]

I have a question about my ducklings. I noticed they drink a lot of water. I have a small cup that I've been filling multiple times a day.They will run up while im pouring water into it and drink till it's all gone. I'm concerned they may be drinking too much and may get hurt or killed by an electrolyte imbalance. Should I restrict the amount of water or am I just being overly concerned?

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

If you have not already you should read this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

Ducks need constant water.

 

[Amiga]

If ducklings do not have water 24/7, when they do get it, they will over drink. So the solution to your concern is to provide them with a safe source (nothing they could drown in) of fresh water - all the time. They will make it murky quickly, so that is why I say fresh as opposed to clean

Please please read the Sticky that DUCKOBSESSED provided.

If you are worried about the brooder becoming a swamp (trust me I speak from experience with swampiness), take a look at these.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/259876/do-your-ducks-have-water-at-night/10#po

 

[ChiknNuggets]

Thank you for the replies. This is my first time raising waterfowl. I was aware they needed water to wash down their food and to clear out their nostrils. These little guys will just keep drinking till the bowl is empty. I've never seen an animal drink as much as these little guys do. I'm going to move them outside today they are pretty messy. Luckily I live in arizona and we're already hitting 85 degrees outside.

 

[needlessjunk]

Thank you for the replies. This is my first time raising waterfowl. I was aware they needed water to wash down their food and to clear out their nostrils. These little guys will just keep drinking till the bowl is empty. I've never seen an animal drink as much as these little guys do. I'm going to move them outside today they are pretty messy. Luckily I live in arizona and we're already hitting 85 degrees outside.

Are they actually drinking all of it or playing in it too?

 

[Orca5094]

How many ducklings do you have and how big is this water bowl? Perhaps it is just too small for the number/size of the ducklings?

 

[ChiknNuggets]

I only have two. Its a small bowl they play in it but they are also drinking it as soon as I fill it they will even stick their head in the measuring cup while I'm pouring it in their bowl