The Double-Decker Brooder

[Wifezilla]

Other than the initial set up, all I do is pull off the shelf liner, hose it in the sink with the sprayer, shake it a few times and replace. Easy-Peasy!

 

[carinlynchin]

thanks for the idea....

 

[nettie]

I'd also make sure you give JJ a chance to clear her beak a bit. Maybe give her water in a small bowl once a day so she can dip her whole beak in. I know ducks like to do that sneezy thing into water.

She should be old enough soon to enjoy a small bath, in that case, the bath should help with watering her beak.

I used a small pet waterer like yours but found after a week and a half to two weeks later, it wasn't enough water for them. I then used a mug after that.

 

[Wifezilla]

Nettie, I am using a jar lid under the waterer to catch drips as well as give JJ something deeper to dip in. I am also floating greens in there. JJ is eating them as well as playing with them so the greens are dual purpose

. I am going to have to move up to a small bowl soon, but so far so good.

 

[katrinag]

I have to add another 1x in the center to extra support.
This moring I got pine shavings in the bottom. The chicks are 2 1/2 weeks old. That is why there is no sides on the crate.

 

[Wifezilla]

Oh cool!

Let us know how it works out. I think the 2 layers is helping, but it would be nice to have independent verification.

 

[katrinag]

They have been in there since last night and I LOVE IT!!

 

[kwack]

Zilla,
Great set-up. I have 10 eggs in the bator that are due 4/1. Yea! I have been planning a similar setup to yours but with potentially more duckies, I was thinking of using two baby pools. Then one can be used for swimming when they are out. My question is.... when I need to clean the shavings/pellets and the liner, where do I put the d-lings?

There is another post with a water/food containment idea that I want to include in my brooder. See nettie's post #4 on smart way to feed/give water.

So much to do!

 

[FarmerDenise]

That looks like a fantastic setup. We have been considering getting some ducks, this might help me convince SO

 

[Wifezilla]

When I am cleaning the liner, the duck is on the hardware cloth (or being snuggled by my husband...LOL). They can be on that for a short period of time with no foot damage....it's just when you try to leave them on the stuff the whole time they brood, they will get bumble foot. When I clean the bottom tub, I can put the top tub out on the grass on a sunny day, or lay it on some paper towels. It doesn't take long to dump and hose out the bottom tub.

As for the baby pools, rumor has it they can jump out fairly quickly unless you add something else around it for additional height....
"Two days after their arrival they were jumping up the sides of the baby pool we used as a brooder; we had to wrap it in cardboard 18" high to keep them inside."
http://www.newagrarian.com/2002/05/29/raising-ducks-the-first-week/