Poultry care tips for post-surgery (my surgery, not the birds’)

Daphne_loves_mealworms

Free Ranging
7 Years
May 13, 2018
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Vermont
So, in less than 4 weeks, I’ve got to be chopped into, and certain pieces shall be removed. Post surgery, I’m to take it easy and not lift anything heavier than a feather for a long period of time. Thankfully, I have my dear husband to take on a lot of the duties, but I want to help in whatever way I can. However, winter duck care involves carrying buckets of water from the house to the barn 2-3 times daily+ a lot of cleanup to keep everything as dry as possible.

Anyways, does anyone happen to have tips on how to make duck care more accessible while I’m on the mend? Thankfully, I guess, it’s too cold for pools (except for a cement mixing tub on “nice” days), so there’s no pool dumping that will need to be done anytime soon.

Anyhoo, any advice is greatly appreciated, please and thank you!
 
Hi,

I sure hope your surgery goes well! :hugs

Do you have electricity in the barn? If so, I think we should come up with a way to cut down all those trips hauling water.

Could you buy a heated base and put their waterer on that? There are DIY duck waterers I've seen where they can't make such a mess like a Tupperware bowl or a bucket with holes cut out big enough so they can get their heads and nares in, but not big enough for them to splash it outside of the bowl. You could set that on that heated base. Otherwise, I've used hand warmers. Those go for 10 hours. I got a deal on a case of them as otherwise, that would get expensive.
 
Hi,

I sure hope your surgery goes well! :hugs

Do you have electricity in the barn? If so, I think we should come up with a way to cut down all those trips hauling water.

Could you buy a heated base and put their waterer on that? There are DIY duck waterers I've seen where they can't make such a mess like a Tupperware bowl or a bucket with holes cut out big enough so they can get their heads and nares in, but not big enough for them to splash it outside of the bowl. You could set that on that heated base. Otherwise, I've used hand warmers. Those go for 10 hours. I got a deal on a case of them as otherwise, that would get expensive.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and for your wonderful ideas! I will go shopping this weekend :) I like my current setup in general as my rubber livestock bowls are indestructible, but there is a lot more clean-up required that I will not be able to keep up with for a bit. Also, I like the idea of hopefully needing to lug less water out to the barn as it wouldn’t freeze in a heated waterer, and they wouldn’t be able to fit their fat duck butts into that style of waterer, decreasing the spillage! Thank you again!
 
Thank you! I’ve survived the surgery, now it’s time for some rest. I thankfully have a wonderful husband who is currently on 100% animal duty. Hopefully, I will be up and about soon!
Good to hear! Several years ago I had five surgeries and chemo in a 6 month span and my husband had to take over pets, cooking, housework, etc. it’s good to have someone who can step up when you need it. Hope you heal quickly!
 

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