I think how messy they get depends upon how often you clean up after them and how many you keep in a given space. After they are a week old, it seems the brooder needs cleaning at least three times a day (plastic tote brooder with 3 ducklings in it). The sooner you can move them into an outdoor pen, or the bigger the brooder, the better.
I have also noticed that waterers with small dishes are better than the typical red base plastic waterers. I have a galvanized bottom dish that fits to glass bottles. It offers a very small amount of water at any time, and it keeps the brooder cleaner for longer. I imagine cutting out a plastic bottle, as others have suggested would work even better.
Once they are outside, I typically clean their pen twice a day. It doesn't bother me, I just make the time to do it, knowing they are generating compostable materials faster than I ever could!
I have also noticed that waterers with small dishes are better than the typical red base plastic waterers. I have a galvanized bottom dish that fits to glass bottles. It offers a very small amount of water at any time, and it keeps the brooder cleaner for longer. I imagine cutting out a plastic bottle, as others have suggested would work even better.
Once they are outside, I typically clean their pen twice a day. It doesn't bother me, I just make the time to do it, knowing they are generating compostable materials faster than I ever could!
