The never ending battle...

[AAcres]

...of keeping the brooder dry.
What a challenge! My six little ducklings will be 3 weeks old this weekend. And wow did they get even messier this past week.
Here is my current set up that I’m trying out as of today.
Since they live in my living room right now, I spot clean about 4-5 times a day and twice a day I was scooping everything out and adding new shavings.
Then once every two or three days I would actually wash the tub while the little guys/gals were taking a bath in the bathtub.
So much work!! And it would be all perfect and two seconds later...a disaster.
Water everywhere, shavings all wet, smelly and bleh
So I’m trying this...a little “kitchen” for the ducks as my four year old calls it.
I hope it helps to keep one area dry!!

 

[MallardMomx2]

Ah, yes. The struggle.
Looks like a great set up! I’ve heard that many people had success when laying grates down for water to fall in like you have done. How’s it working for you so far?
I have little ones set to hatch June 7th and could use some “housekeeping” help as well. You’re never prepared well enough for the mess that comes with ducks

 

[AAcres]

Ah, yes. The struggle.
Looks like a great set up! I’ve heard that many people had success when laying grates down for water to fall in like you have done. How’s it working for you so far?
I have little ones set to hatch June 7th and could use some “housekeeping” help as well. You’re never prepared well enough for the mess that comes with ducks

The grate is working! It’s just a cooling rack for baking. I did have to remove the tin foil I put underneath to catch the water because they were ripping it out. But so far so good now

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I have to say that pine pellets have worked much better for my waterfowl brooders than pine shavings - the pellets are absorbent and just break apart when wet (and can easily be scooped out - I just use a dustpan). My ducklings seem to know the pine sawdust isn't food, too.

A bit of wet mess isn't enough to keep me away from the waterfowl.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Can you translate said method for adult ducks? I'm quickly getting acquainted with duck muck.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

I bet you could - I use the deep litter method for my adults that are cooped at night, but I don't see why the pine pellets couldn't also be used for adults. A couple of inches (they come in 40# bags) of the pine pellets, with an optional layer of shavings on top (if desired - the shavings add a bit of "fluffiness") and I think you'll find that a total change-out won't be needed as often. Even if the pellets break down, just scooping off the wet stuff usually reveals that dry ones remain below.

Hope it works well for you!

 

[RaisingDucks2020]

...of keeping the brooder dry.
What a challenge! My six little ducklings will be 3 weeks old this weekend. And wow did they get even messier this past week.
Here is my current set up that I’m trying out as of today.
Since they live in my living room right now, I spot clean about 4-5 times a day and twice a day I was scooping everything out and adding new shavings.
Then once every two or three days I would actually wash the tub while the little guys/gals were taking a bath in the bathtub.
So much work!! And it would be all perfect and two seconds later...a disaster.
Water everywhere, shavings all wet, smelly and bleh
So I’m trying this...a little “kitchen” for the ducks as my four year old calls it.
I hope it helps to keep one area dry!!
View attachment 1786865

...of keeping the brooder dry.
What a challenge! My six little ducklings will be 3 weeks old this weekend. And wow did they get even messier this past week.
Here is my current set up that I’m trying out as of today.
Since they live in my living room right now, I spot clean about 4-5 times a day and twice a day I was scooping everything out and adding new shavings.
Then once every two or three days I would actually wash the tub while the little guys/gals were taking a bath in the bathtub.
So much work!! And it would be all perfect and two seconds later...a disaster.
Water everywhere, shavings all wet, smelly and bleh
So I’m trying this...a little “kitchen” for the ducks as my four year old calls it.
I hope it helps to keep one area dry!!
View attachment 1786865

I just got 6 new baby ducks, my first time raising them as babies.. I was constantly changing the bedding, then I had a great idea! I had a bag of cat litter pellets from when my cat got declawed. they are like a tight rolls of paper, I placed some down first then put the wood shavings down on top... what a complete difference!!!

 

[Isaac 0]

Never heard of that before, sounds like a good idea!