messy brooding pen

[bock]

I have 10 ducklings and 2 goslings who turned 2 weeks old today. They are in a "cardboard circle" as I call it that is epanded to full size. They are getting more and more crowded as they grow. I have noticed they are sneezing, and there is a VERY strong odor in the barn were they are kept. What should I do? When should I move them outside? Please help!

 

[Lesa]

Tell us what the weather is like, where you are...I keep hearing how much duck poop- I guess it is true! If you can't get them outside, you'll have to do a good cleaning, every day. The sneezing sounds like a problem....Good luck!

 

[bock]

Thanks for the advise! Today it is about 75 degrees today, but yesterday we had a very windy and wet day.

 

[Lesa]

Do you have something set up for them outside? On nice days you could move them out and bring them back to the barn, if it is cold...That would give them some nice fresh air.

 

[bock]

Ok you are a huge help!

 

[chickboss]

I have no idea what your barn set up is like, but is there any way you could expand their area by making some temporary walls out of plywood, or fencing, ect.? Maybe you could do a small door or something and create a outside area with some temp. fencing as well so they can let themselves in and out during the day if they feel cold.

 

[Amiga]

With my eleven runners, I have been cleaning the brooder three to five times a day. They simply splash a bit of water (I have a splash catcher that does a great job, but I haven't come across anything that keeps the brooder 100% dry), and pass quite a bit of food, not to mention splashing the food some, too.

It is a very short time that they are ducklings - 8 weeks, give or take - this is part of the package. They are adorable, funny, sweet, whacky, and I am glad to have them. Lord willing, they will be eating slugs, bugs, continuing to make fertilizer, and lay eggs, all outside, before too long (it is still very cold at night here).

Cleaning the brooder takes me, tops, 15 minutes, including rinsing out and refilling their three gallon waterer.

Sneezing is an early warning sign - they need to be able to dunk their entire little heads into clean water regularly, to help clear feathers and dust out of their nostrils. Otherwise, they risk sinus or respiratory infections.