I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to ease the load of MESS from the ducklings. I've tried everything but this! I think it will actually work! It's not so much the poop, but their messing drinking and trying to squeeze their bodies into the ring of water and splash all over the place or 9 bills at once splashing. So I'm hoping it works but I know I will need to extend it and make it bigger as they get bigger this winter. But at lease it will be confinded to one space rather then the entire cage. WOW, I won't let ducks lay nor will I hatch so late in the season again. Now I know what Katharina was warning me about! LOL! But, I love them anyway. No different then my own kids making a mess.
I love how pretty and clean it looks in the picture. I KNOW from experience it doesn't stay that way very long. I brooded 10 Runner ducks in the house last winter. What a mess!! I must have been out of my mind! Right now we have 3 Call ducklings that are brooding in our parrot house. But they're not nearly as messy as the larger ducks were. And 2 of the 3 are almost ready to go out with the adults, thank goodness! Crazy crazy crazy! Good luck!! Laurie
A better solution would be a clear plastic tub. You simply cut 6 holes into the sides, large enough for them to put their head in. Inside you keep the food and water. Keep the lid on top and they can't mess with it. You can elongate the holes upwards as they grow taller. A utility knife for a Dremel tool will cut it nicely.
Thank you so much!! I am going to go out and get a couple of those clear plastic tubs! The wood pellets are already getting saturated pretty soon it will look like a mud puddle but instead of dirt, wet saw dust. Brilliant idea!
Just make sure you get a really large one so they feeder and waterer will fit inside. You may need to take a measuring tool with you to the store. Walmart has the cheapest ones and rinse out is a breeze. I think I'm building one myself, because I'm tired of them donating poo into the food bowl. That or putting the bowls onto the small duck table, which I have to build first too.
I have used the plastic tubs as a brooder before. Get the giant ones and drill holes in the lid for ventilation. It keeps the mess contained. The drawback ishow often you have to pour out the excess water. Have to put the squeakers somewhere while you're doing that, but otherwise, if I were going to have a brooder in the house, that is probably how I would go about it. We have a brooder in the barn and the tub one is a backup. I've never had trouble with it, though.
