Nasty, messy creatures!

[Sylviaanne]

I had 4 ducklings in with 22 chicks. It was such a mess, I had to take the ducklings out. I put them in a dog cage because they were not old enough or big enough to go outside, well, that was then. Anyways, I have them in a spare bedroom where I can keep a close eye on all of them. I have tried the chicken feeders and waters and those little ducks still make a huge mess. I have to clean the chicken pen once a day and every day for the ducks but they could use it done about 3 times a day. I gave up and put a bowl with feed and a glass cake pan for their water. I can't stand it anymore.

What can I put their feed and water in so they don't make such a big mess?

Maybe the better question is: When can they go out side with their parents? One of them is 3 weeks old and the others are 2 1/2 weeks old. Sylvia

 

[Amanda39]

Sylvia, I hear you!!! I only have 3, 2 geese and a duck and the mess is UNREAL! I have solved my water problem though!!! Put the waterer in a tupperware dish! Like this...





I hope this helps!

 

[subhanalah]

I bought some light diffuser and put that over top of the shavings. Then under the diffuser and waterers/food is a large cookie pan.

 

[Sylviaanne]

They don't knock it over? I thought about a set up like that but ducks are heavy and I thought that if I did that, they'd just knock it over. Thanks. Sylvia

 

[Sylviaanne]

I bought some light diffuser and put that over top of the shavings. Then under the diffuser and waterers/food is a large cookie pan.

Do you have any pictures of your set up? Sylvia

 

[subhanalah]

I'll have to get some for you.

 

[Amanda39]

No, they don't knock it over, it's too heavy! I fill the water feeder to the top, place it in the tupperware, then fill the tupperware half full. It works great!

 

[Sylviaanne]

I'll have to get some for you.

Thank you.

 

[Sylviaanne]

No, they don't knock it over, it's too heavy! I fill the water feeder to the top, place it in the tupperware, then fill the tupperware half full. It works great!

The Tupperware bowl is flat bottomed, right? I will have to try it this way. I would think they would try to get between the bottle and the bowl edge.


No one is saying how old they need to be to go outside? They are out growing the cage I have them in and if it's too soon to take them out I will need to bring in a bigger cage. Sylvia

 

[subhanalah]

Okay, I was putting everyone into the brooder after I cleaned it and remembered that I forgot to take pictures yesterday!
Took the ducklings out so you can see how it's set up.