poo solutions

[laurita1510]

Hi everyone. Any thoughts on what th use on ducklings house to deal with poo? I didn't anticipate the sheer amount of it and I'm cleaning like several times a day with that and the water they splash from the drinker.I'm using sawdust now but would straw or hay be better? Somebody suggested cat litter bit I worry they might eat it. Also can they be house trained as they seem to jump of their towel to squit on my couch do seem to have some control...

 

[Debs Flock]

A lot of people, myself included, use pine shavings. They're quite absorbent. When mine were babies, I saw someone put their waterer on top of one of those plastic drawers with the top cut out and hardware cloth put over it. The excess water fell into the drawer. So picture the drawer, cut out the top, attached hardware cloth, place waterer on top. I used something similar to this, but not as easy to clean out.

@Amiga uses a rubber tote, one long side cut away and the waterer is inside there. Then the water is contained to inside the tote.

Everyone I know that brings their ducks inside usually had a diaper on them on they stay on the floor where the poo can be easily wiped up.

 

[Amiga]

Seems like the only control my ducks had as littles was to aim in the worst possible direction, from my point of view!

Here is the watering station

Above is the smaller version - a cat litter box with high sides and an entryway.


Large watering station - bottom half of a plastic dog crate


flat-bottomed pan, with straight sides cannot be tipped over by Runner or Buff ducks.
Bottom is sawdust pellets.
This keeps the bedding dry
Used by ten ducks.

Duck Dooty takes about 15 minutes or so most days - spot pick little piles, scrape wet, nutrient-enriched top off the sawdust pellets. Those things go into the mulch pile that over time becomes excellent for gardening. No additional cost for mulch or fertilizer.

 

[laurita1510]

Yes I think they always look proud of themselves when they do that. Thanks for the tips and photographs that really helps. I can't find anywhere in this country that sells nappies for them. Mine love to help me with the gardening, following me round eating bugs and weeds.

 

[Amiga]

My flock are my garden helpers - that's why I have them.