My transition brooder... what am I doing wrong??!!

[mandymcg05]

I had that same problem with my girls! They’d make a huge mess! I ended up making the brooder bigger and setting a tray under their waterter and also moving their food to the opposite side of the cage. Don’t get me wrong when I get home from work the tray under their water is completely full of water but it keeps their brooder a lot more dry! Here our my before and after brooder updates!

Thank you!!! I think I’ve made progress! Lol. They are still soaking wet this morning and went through their entire gallon jug in 12 hours lol. But hopefully I can keep they dry today!!

Ps your babies are sooo cute

 

[mandymcg05]

Ok. I made the switch to pine pellets. THEY ARE EATING THEM!!! Whyyyy

 

[mandymcg05]

@TiaNicole @tribalacres

 

[Miss Lydia]

Cover them with a towel you don’t want them eating them.

 

[mandymcg05]

Cover them with a towel you don’t want them eating them.

I had to think quick so I laid the shavings over them. I think they may be ok now... what the heck?! Why would they do that lol. Silly babies

 

[chickens really]

Ok. So these blue Swede babies are about 3 weeks old. I have them in a Transition brooder until I can get baby chicks out to the big coop this coming weekend.

The problem is that I work a full-time job and when I had a 1 quart watering can in with them they ran out of water multiple times a day. Now I have a 1 gallon watering can and every day I’m having to clean the brooder out top to bottom because there’s so much water! What am I doing wrong? What can I make better? Again this is only in transition brooder until I can get baby chicks out of my larger kennel for them.

I’ve tried a couple different “contraptions” for the waterer to sit on. But I just can’t figure it out. How can I save the water and the bedding?? Lol

Am I not meant to care for ducks? Husband says I need to get rid of them because I complain about not knowing how to take care of them lol. I LOVE THEM and rehoming is not an option unless this requires a full time duck mom

Get the ducks outside and then you won’t have the problem. They are tough birds.

 

[mandymcg05]

Get the ducks outside and then you won’t have the problem. They are tough birds.

I just thought it was too young at this age?! Especially with temps dropping some nights. KY weather, never know what you’re going to get.

 

[chickens really]

I just thought it was too young at this age?! Especially with temps dropping some nights. KY weather, never know what you’re going to get.

If in a covered place outside they will be fine with pine shavings as bedding. People actually extend their lives in brooders it lasts way to long.

 

[Isaac 0]

Yep , ducklings are strong, and could probably withstand cold temps, but would you set your one-year-old outside in cold temps even though it may be able to handle it, probably not, so why make them suffer? I do agree that more space will help with the waste, but if you do so, their outside brooder should be predator-proof, free of drafts, and a secure heat source should be provided so they can use the warmth as needed.

 

[mandymcg05]

Yep , ducklings are strong, and could probably withstand cold temps, but would you set your one-year-old outside in cold temps even though it may be able to handle it, probably not, so why make them suffer? I do agree that more space will help with the waste, but if you do so, their outside brooder should be predator-proof, free of drafts, and a secure heat source should be provided so they can use the warmth as needed.

Today, as it stands, I could supply all of that except the heat source. I’d have to figure that out. But hubby and I talked and they will be moving this weekend regardless of where so we can get this show on the road. Mama’s exhausted!