just how messy are ducks?

[dacjohns]

Don't let the ducklings spend much time in the water and dry them off. Their oil gland hasn't developed yet and the water will soak through the down and they can go hypothermic. In the wild mama duck preens them with her oil and takes them out of the water.

At the stage they are at (day old) a tote with a bath towel would be OK. The bath towel is easy to clean. You don't want a slippery surface or their legs can splay. They are also built different than a chicken with legs further back on the body.

 

[KierBri]

ya, changed the waterer, they don't fit anymore. though it was cute. i've got paper towels over newspaper right now (changed twice already) i don't have that many bath towels lol!
stacylynn

 

[GoodEgg]

FWIW, regarding cheap bath towels ...

I had already bought a few because of the dog (cleaning his feet when he comes inside) and just because I always seem to need one for something I don't want to use my good towels for.

Then Wal-Mart put them on for $1.50, for regular sized bath towels. They aren't that thick, but they get the job done. Right now I am using them ALL for my baby gooses. I line their big tote boxes with a clean towel each night when I bring them in. In the morning, I hose the towel off and hang it on the clothesline, where I hose it again before it gets washed.

I gotta get that night pen built though ... they would much rather be outside.

trish

 

[DuckLady]

I get towels cheap at thrift stores. THe one I go to puts about 8 to 10 in a plastic bag and they go for about $4. THey are nice towels, too. Mostly bath towels and sometimes you can find a bag stuffed with hand sized towels that are perfect for little chores.

 

[KierBri]

thanks, i'll look into that. (was wondering about the washing part...they sure do poo alot)

 

[ronshoney]

I have 12 ducks in one cage and they make a horrific mess! I put their water in the top to a tupperware pie taker and that seems to be helping some. They are funny and at this point I like them much better than the chickens....... at three weeks they call and come to the cage whenever you are by them and they like to be petted and played with. Most of the chickens about have a heart attack and run the other way.

 

[RoostersCrow]

Yes... ducks can be messy in captivity but it doesn't have to be that way if you have a little space to work with.

The trick to keeping dry with ducks, young or old, is to keep watering, bathing and (as much as possible) bedding as seperate issues.

For my adults ... bedding is in the coop, their waterer is outside in their yard and their bathing pool is outside in the far corner of the yard out of the sun. The bathing pool gets changed out once or twice per week.

For brooding restrict the water around the bedding to drinking water. Bathing can be given as needed outside of the brooder. With a larger space, such as a small shed, seperate brooding and water areas work well. Also, feeders that discourage them shovelling with their bills keeps feed mess down.

 

[Black Feather]

Ohhhh I love ducklings, they are sooo cute

I have to agree with everyone though, they are MESSY! I wouldn't let myself get ducks until I had an outdoor run I could keep the water in. When I had some Call ducks in my indoor coop they splashed the water around so much they rotted the wood floor out in their pen.

I now have a pair of Black East Indies and think they're great. The duck has started laying so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the male is fertile

I would LOVE to have a duckling.

Urban Coyote

 

[scrapmom5]

Quote:
LOL my chickens run to me everytime I come. In fact, I have a difficult time keeping them off of me and in their pen when it is time for me to return to other responsibilites. As for my ducks (which were held more as babies) they run away. My two ducks are afraid of everyone and everything. They are even spooked by their own shadows. I used to keep the chicks and ducks brooding pens side by side and when the chicks started to fly they were perch on the side of the ducks pen, my poor ducks would cower in a corner just staring at the strange breeds looking at them. I have never seen two ducks more afraid.

 

[GoodEgg]

I think ducks can vary a lot in personality. I know between my 4, they do.

Kupo follows me EVERYwhere ... not to be friendly, but to keep a suspicious eye on me, I think. He will sometimes "bite" when my back is turned, but he can't do any damage.

Momo often comes with him, but never bites. He's pretty laid back. These two males will sometimes weave back and forth in my path just in front of my feet. I think they're trying to force me to go another direction, LOL.

Baka will also come up to me, if she's hungry (and she usually is). If she's REALLY hungry, she will rub her bill over my legs or otherwise try to get my attention.

Kuro on the other hand, HATES to be touched, and will forgo food or anything else if she's afraid someone may try to touch her. She will stand near me and eat from a dish I hold, as long as she's confident I won't try to touch her.

I was surrounded by ducks and chickens a few weeks ago, but the ducks were in closer. I bent down and just absently petted one without really thinking ... it was Kuro. She was shocked, and ran away. I think I undid months of being careful with her, so now she's not sure if I might try to pet her again. Poor Kuro ... never saw an animal so skittish. But Kupo is the opposite.

(Oh, and Terrielacy, great hint on the towels! That's even cheaper than mine ... I think I'll check out the thrift stores here.

Thanks! )

trish