Keeping duckling bedding dry

[Anny]

What do you guys use for bedding for your young ducklings, and how do you keep it dry. It seems like everytime I turn around 1/2 of their bedding is SOAKED. They only have a small water bowl, to prevent them from diving in it, but they they still splash it all over.

Am I fighting a never ending battle for dry bedding?

At least the area under the heat lamp stays clean.

 

[Luvducks]

Okay, I am new to ducks also but have learned from the posts on BYC. I have one of the baby chick plastic water containers. Plastic with the red water holder. Put this inside of another shallow container so they can reach it of course. I do not know how old your ducklings are but I am able to put my waterer in a 9 x 13 cake pan. I am using the 9 x 13 lid from a Tupperware cake carrier. Alot (Not All) the excess water they drip goes into the "overflow" container instead of the bedding.

I saw someone else use pelleted bedding which you can find at PetSmart, PetCo, Walmart. They said this will last longer and stay dryer. I forgot to get this but I am going to give it a try.

The little buggers are a mess but they will be outside soon. If I think of any other ideas i will post. Good Luck!

 

[Spires6]

Yes. You are fighting a never ending battle. I have 12 ducklings now and have had ducklings before and it is always the same. They are gross. I use pine shavings with a layer of newspaper and change it twice a day. Next weekend they will be two weeks old and they will be going into an outdoor brooder that I can move around. Can't wait.

 

[Spires6]

LUVDUCKS wrote:
I have one of the baby chick plastic water containers. Plastic with the red water holder. Put this inside of another shallow container so they can reach it of course. I do not know how old your ducklings are but I am able to put my waterer in a 9 x 13 cake pan. I am using the 9 x 13 lid from a Tupperware cake carrier. Alot (Not All) the excess water they drip goes into the "overflow" container instead of the bedding.

Good idea LUVDUCKS! I will be trying that.​

 

[fowlmood]

In my experience it's a never ending battle. Even when they are full grown. I've tried the pine shavings and the pellets. Both work o.k. but you have to remember, they are ducks and they like to play in water. Definitely have a tray or pan of some sort under their waterer and change the bedding frequently.

 

[froggie71]

I agree, it's a never ending battle. Ducks just love water no matter what! I do know when they are a little older you can try putting them on a wire mesh bottom cage. I'm thinking of trying that next time....

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

We use sand in the brooder, and the brooder is a "kiddie" swimming pool. About 3 or 4 inches of sand in the bottom and any water they kick out soaks in to the sand.

Steve in NC

 

[Shanay235]

I set my quart jar waterer inside of a shallow, plastic, kitty litter pan then place the kitty litter pan on top of a puppy pee pee pad. The pad absorbs most of the water they splash or track through. It keeps the bedding dry enough I only have to do a full change every other day.

 

[conny63malies]

oh you are cracking me up. I will never raise ducklings or any waterfowl for that matter in the house again.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Its a losing battle.
My 3 week olds are the worst, they beat the adults and the 1 week olds.