Safe Brooder for Duckling and Goslings

[NCFF]

I am brooding my babies inside(spare bedroom). No other inside animals. Do I need to put a top on the brooder? Will the try and escape like chicks?

 

[Iain Utah]

I brood my ducklings and goslings in my spare bedroom. Their pens are 2.5 ft tall with no top. My ducklings are a month old and are secure. My goslings are still only days old, so I'm not sure how long it will be if/before they would possibly be able to get out, but I'll find out soon enough.

 

[DB_Tex]

I use a 40 gallon rubbermaid tote bin and I secure a panel of chicken wire over the top... not to keep them in since the sides are pretty high, but to keep the house cats out.

 

[duckyfromoz]

How long will you have them inside?? I once knew it was time for a group of babies to go outside to live wen I was woken in the middle of the night - and saw a young duck staring up at me from beside my bed

Muscovy duckling can escape from a brooder better than other breeds I have found- but it can depend on just how high the walls of your brooder are.

 

[kara_leigh]

I'm using an xl dog crate, the wire kind. My little babies are so small that they would fit through the slats, so I lined the bottom with cardboard boxes. When I have chicks, I put sticks through (held on with a bungee cord) it for them to roost on.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a353/ShyGecko/f9cb2da0.jpg
(my img codes aren't working, so you'll have to click on the link, sorry!)

 

[NCFF]

Thank-you all for your replies. Maybe I will plan on a top just to be safe. don't want to come home from work to find dead babies. I plan on keeping them inside for 3 or 4 weeks , depending on the weather. It was in the low 70's last week, but back to the 50's this week and rain coming. Babies coming on April 17. 6 Pilgrims and 10 WH Ducks

 

[ChristineR]

I've always kept my ducklings in a big rubbermade tub, too. I've never had one escape, but I've always had medium to large breed ducks that aren't known for their athleticism.

 

[Struttn1]

To preserve the peace at home I built an outdoor brooding cage similar to a large rabbit cage that has 2 suspended heat lamps and the top and sides are covered with a windproof tarp. I have a removable plywood divider so I can keep them congregated near the heat and food/water for the first few days. Once they are getting around well after a couple of weeks I remove the barrier and they have lots of space to roam until they are feathered and ready to move to a raising pen. The brooding pen and raising pen are both located in my pole barn protected from the weather. I will keep them in the house in a rubber tub for the first few days til the wife threatens to throw them and me out. You are going to really have a stinky spare bedroom by the time 3 or 4 weeks passes and be very busy cleaning the brooder.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Ducklings and goslings are not like chicks in that their feathers come in much, MUCH slower. You didn't mention breed, but unless they are an ornamental (mandarin, wood ect) or Muscovy don't worry about a top. Just make the sides 2.5/3' high they will be there to look up at you when you get home. Most domestic breeds of ducks are flightless, which is a nice thing for owners.

 

[NCFF]

OK ~ so 3-4 weeks is not a good idea. Maybe 2 weeks inside will work. Not sure what I will do with them after that. Have a option of a shed that is close to house(could run ext grade power cord out there). Planning on using the Eco-glow 50 heater by brinsea. It looked like a safe alternative to heat lamp. I would need to figure out how to contain heat and make secure brooder for (6) pilgrim geese and (10) WH Ducks. April average 72 H -47L. Have a 8' x 6' room I could put pen in, put up insulation, etc. for week 3-4. Outside in coop during day if nice weather, but no power in main coop and about 50 ft to power. That would put me into mid may (82H - 54L). I would think by then I could have them acclimated to go out to the coop full time.

Anymore options, ideas, or comments?