Messy Ducklings

[ShyanneW]

Hi!

So let me preface this by saying, I know ducklings/ducks are messy, and it’s just in their nature.

BUT.

I’m here to see if anyone has any tips or tricks on how to keep their bedding less soaked? I attached a picture here that is an hour after I had completely dumped and cleaned the brooder, and half of it is already soaked again (I also attached one of them in their temporary pen for when I clean the brooder, because they’re not always demons who soak everything ). I feel like I’m going around behind them and scooping wet shavings. I’ve tried propping their water up on things, I’ve tried hanging it - all with the same result.

I’m a first time duck mama so this is all new to me, any tips are SO appreciated.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

I do not, but if I come up with any thing I’ll let you know! I would love to see if there was away to keep them cleaner!

 

[Isaac 0]

Here are a few brooder ideas, drip trays keep their bedding a lot cleaner.

 

[21hens-incharge]

You can see what I am trying here....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-duckling-brooder-am-i-missing-anything.1356500/
I made the drip tray after seeing a broiler pan idea....I forget who's it was...

 

[ShyanneW]

I do not, but if I come up with any thing I’ll let you know! I would love to see if there was away to keep them cleaner!

I’ve scoured the internet and haven’t found anything that has worked yet, but sometimes people have home tips/tricks, which is what I’m hoping for!

 

[2 many chickens]

Ducks are messy in general. I would remove the chick waterer, they are too big for that now. You can take a milk jug and cut a hole big enough for them to dip their nose in and get water. Or an old sour cream container with a hole cut in the lid. You can use anything.

 

[Isaac 0]

I believe some people have good luck with absorbent horse pellets as bedding also.

 

[Jpat]

Ducks can stand a little more moisture than chicks, what i do is

towels for the first week, changed every two days

Pine shavings after that, i just dump and refill every 2 days for the second week
Then i dump and refill everyday for the third week and every week after that

I rinse out my bathtub and put a couple inches of warm water in it so they have a place to play while iam cleaning the brooder. i dont spot clean very much because they are so messy

If you have a tablet you can video call your tablet from your phone and you have yourself a baby monitor so you can keep an eye on them in the bath

 

[ShyanneW]

Ducks are messy in general. I would remove the chick waterer, they are too big for that now. You can take a milk jug and cut a hole big enough for them to dip their nose in and get water. Or an old sour cream container with a hole cut in the lid. You can use anything.

Interesting, that’s some great info. We’re almost at the end of a gallon of milk, so I’ll definitely try that!

 

[ShyanneW]

Ducks can stand a little more moisture than chicks, what i do is

towels for the first week, changed every two days

Pine shavings after that, i just dump and refill every 2 days for the second week
Then i dump and refill everyday for the third week and every week after that

I rinse out my bathtub and put a couple inches of warm water in it so they have a place to play while iam cleaning the brooder. i dont spot clean very much because they are so messy

If you have a tablet you can video call your tablet from your phone and you have yourself a baby monitor so you can keep an eye on them in the bath

I have been dumping and cleaning every other day, and spot cleaning as much as their messy selves need. I either stick them in an old dog crate while I’m cleaning, or have my boyfriend supervise them in the sink.