Quote:
Well, there isn't much you can do, unfortunately
I ended up putting my ducklings (also from Ideal) out into the coop at 2 weeks old, simply because I couldn't take the stink and mess anymore. I love them dearly, but just not in my house.
You an try to lessen the mess by putting their waterer into another pan (like a flatish pizza type pan, or something with a low rim) and it will help, but not eliminate all the playing. It's just what they do. I did have a little success with using a one gallon chicken waterer - this helped a tiny bit, but I found them all lined up one behind the other walking around the rim to get at least one foot into the water anyway
it was hillarious to watch.
Your best bet is to make the bedding soemthign that can either be easily removed and cleaned often, or make it water absorbant.
Those Horse Stall Bedding Pellets (like Equine Fresh) work good - for awhile. They absorb the water and turn to fluff - but even those need to be cleaned out more often if you have very many babies in the brooder. I also used Puppy Pads, and those can be picked up easily and replaced quickly - but you'll be replacing them often, anyway.
I would A) never use pine shreds or B) never use paper towel - neither would hold up well to a duckling who is intent on being wet.
Other folks have tried using a Milk carton (or similar jug) with holes cut into it so they can get their heads in it, but not their whole bodies. I tried this, and found they would simply tip it over if they were determined, but others have had luck with it.
I also thought about using another smaller plastic bin and making a "door" in it for them to enter/exit and put their water dish inside that, to make clean up easier. I didn't try it, as I got frustrated long before that point and simply put them outside in the coop.
Since my first ducklings (that I tried all of these things on) I have had a lot of call ducklings in the house - not nearly so many at once, so not as bad mess-wise. Mostly I just put up with the mess, and keep cleaning the brooder bin until they can go outside into the coop. I figure it's not very long to live with the mess, and the duckies are so dang cute I am willing to suffer a little for them.
btw - Congrats on the duckies
they are so cute and funny to watch.
meri