Less mess duckling water

[SueNH]

A couple of you posted pictures of a homemade duckling waterer. I can't find it. Could I see the pictures again. For the time being I need to keep the few ducklings I have in with the chicken chicks and they don't appreciate the slobber.

I'm still quite a bit of time away from being able to put them outside. Still having frosts at night.

Have more showing up either today or tomorrow. Have a clutch of duck eggs in the incubator I set last night.

I had better slobber proof as best I can. The first week wasn't bad with just 3 ducklings. Yesterday it was like somebody threw a switch and they dibble and dabble and slobber just like the grownups.

 

[SueNH]

Well I've searched and searched and still can't find those pictures. Somebody remember??

 

[smom1976]

I hope you find it.. I am not much help there.. but I had no idea ducks slobbered.

 

[raindrop]

Here are mine. I started with quart yogurt containers, then moved to larger containers as they grew.

 

[pookiethebear]

oh thaks for posting this!! My 3 ducks are just downright gross!! The drench everything! I had just a tupperware type container of water and they all wanted to bath in it...so I moved in a gallon waterer like for the chickens, and they still soak everything! I will have to try this gallon jug setup. Dirty ducks!

They seem really scared of me also. I sit with them every day and talk to them, and clean their brooder ever day so you would think that they would be getting used to be by now...but no. They run like scared chickens. Any suggestions for socializing with these goofy birds to get them to calm down and warm up to us?

 

[yellowdragon]

That's awesome. I've had ducks twice, and love them but I decided I would never do it again because of the mess. That's the greatest idea I've ever seen.

 

[ticks]

Raindrop....I have told you before and i'm going to tell you again, I love your brooder

 

[raindrop]

Quote:
Thanks. It is the sleeping quarters only at this point, the geese are so big they can hardly turn around in it! Plan to work on the outdoor shelter this weekend. They are such clumsy beasts at this point. I will miss them in the kitchen.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Nice duckling waterer.

I have two mallard ducklings and I agree they are messy! I had them in w/the chicks until I couldn't stand seeing my featherlegged Brahma chicks soggy feet anymore.

They seem really scared of me also. I sit with them every day and talk to them, and clean their brooder ever day so you would think that they would be getting used to be by now...but no. They run like scared chickens. Any suggestions for socializing with these goofy birds to get them to calm down and warm up to us?

I have the same problem with my two. They want to "hang" with the chickens but the chickens don't appreciate them much , esp. since those ducklings like to pinch. I will be looking forward to an answer to "bonding" with these two. Getting them back into the shed is a chore also. They can really run!

 

[kodiakchicken]

I love that waterer! I've been using the gallon chick waterer and the do string it all over the place!!!

AS far as bonding goes, I think I asked the same question awhile ago. My ducklings are about 2 weeks, maybe a little less (no feathers yet). They were really skittish and I wondered if they were going to bond to me. We sit with them and try to pet them but they would still run when we'd reach in the brooder.

Something's changed in the last couple days though. Now, when we go in they run to the side of the brooder and peep at us. I'm not sure what they want, but they certainly do want us there. We have let them swim a couple times in the bathtub and they love that. Maybe they have decided anyone that lets them play in the water isn't that bad?

They still don't like to be held, but will let us pet them.

I took them to an FFA meeting yesterday and they were perfect little babies - surprisingly! They even let the kids hold them and settled right down in their hands. That was odd, but I'm glad for it. I also let them see who's feeding them, not just have it appear in their tote after it's cleaned.

I think ducks are naturally skittish and it just takes time. Do something with them that they like. When they are in the tub we put our hands in and splash with them and pet them there too. I think they are more comfortable in that setting and it helps.

Good luck! Ducks are the messiest little boogers I've ever seen but I am so attached I couldn't give them up!!!