New to raising baby ducks...brooder question!

[McChics]

I'm no expert as I am on my first duck experience. I've opted for the pine shavings as I'm so comfortable using them with the chickens. Yes - wet - wet - wet...and super important to get that out and dry it out often to avoid anything growing in there other than the ducks. I'm finding I have to scoop out around the waterer once a day - I also propped it up on a 2x6 to get it up a bit more off the floor.

I would be concerned with them picking or eating at the towels or paper. But I know that has worked for other people. I think we have to just deal with this over the brooder period - air it out often when they go outside to play and keep it fresh in there.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have used pee pads with out problems but I have ducklings coming next week and will be using pee pads again until they are two weeks old hopefully it will be successful again.

 

[Texag87]

I have used pee pads with out problems but I have ducklings coming next week and will be using pee pads again until they are two weeks old hopefully it will be successful again.

6 more days ?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I just counted it up since you said 6 more days

 

[Loopeend]

Are diaper-products so cheap over there? Or are you all so rich?

A thing that made me chose straw is also that for 1 pack of puppypads I can buy 21 bales of straw.

So to add to this conversation for what to use; don't forget your wallet. There is no 'what best to use' if it is not affordable, or not even available in shops where you live

Side-question;
What would happen with cotton, often used in hamster/rats due to that they are quite dust-free as bedding? I found it smelled less then shavings/straw; but wondering if they would eat it, and if that would be a problem.

 

[Texag87]

Yes I just counted it up since you said 6 more days

Its bad when we know each others stork delivery dates


OP question, we are currently using Dollar Store towels. Cost about two dollars each, lasts about three washing. Last fall we used cardboard which was free but, we have learned since then that once it gets wet they will slip and may wind up with leg issues. We were lucky last year.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Its bad when we know each others stork delivery dates


OP question, we are currently using Dollar Store towels. Cost about two dollars each, lasts about three washing. Last fall we used cardboard which was free but, we have learned since then that once it gets wet they will slip and may wind up with leg issues. We were lucky last year.

Problem is no baby showers we need to remedy that. lol

 

[DuckyDonna]

I used pine shavings but had their waterer on top of a paint tray with a rack on it so it kept down the water mess quite a bit. I went to Dollar Tree and bought myself some lovely pink rubber gloves that I put on to grab up the wet, poopy pine shavings during the day. I put them in a bucket which eventually went into my blueberry garden so nothing was wasted.

I have puppy pads left over from the puppy we got in February who thought they were her toys and tore them up instead of using them for the purpose they were meant. I will use them up when I hatch my babies this spring just because I have them.

 

[McChics]

Here is something I switched over the weekend. Went to Harbor Freight and bought an oil change pan. The standard drinking water unit drops in the pan. I elevated it with a few blocks of wood. It has been a God send! They don't dribble the water now down onto the shavings. I'm still scooping the shavings out twice a day - but primarily for waste...not wet water clumps!

Also, we are giving them as much outdoor time as possible. Set up a pen with a tarp cover off their future hutch/coop area. That saves on the shavings and mess. Going on five weeks old now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Great ideas thanks!