Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[JulieNKC]

We have switched over to water bottles for the ducklings. Things get way to messy the otherwise. While they are less than a week old they get a normal water cup to drink from but once they are a week or so old we transition them to the water bottle. They pick up on it very quickly because they are attracted to the shiny metal. It's really helped knock the stink down in the inside brooder. Plus frequent cleaning of course.

What kind of water bottles? I thought they had to be able to dip their bills up to their nostrils to clear them or something like that? I use water bottles for my chicks inside, and seramas and love them. If I could use them for ducklings too, and just give them water a few times a day to play and bathe in that would be so much easier. Right now my set up contains the mess mostly to one little area, with their food and water in a little litter box and I just have to dump and fill that litterbox instead of cleaning the whole brooder, and isn't too bad, but the less mess the better.

 

[psue]

if I remember right they only need to clean their nostrils once or twiced a day

 

[Eyeheartquail]

My ancona drake's name is Hershey, so of course I love the name.

I will have to live vicariously through all of you with your bators going. It will be a while before my dewlaps start laying.

Yeah, tell me about it. Vicariously living through everyone is how I roll

if I remember right they only need to clean their nostrils once or twice a day

Yes, this is what I have read and heard also. Without a sufficient water source at least a couple times per day, ducklings are more susceptible to infection. I would not recommend water bottles without a couple soaks throughout the day.

 

[Marty1876]

I'm pretty sure baby ducks need head dipping. I guess you could put some with a deeper water source, and some with the water bottles, and see what the end result is.

Hi everyone.

 

[FarmGirl-NC]

I put a small pan of water in with my ducklings along with a regular chick waterer (mason jar turned upside down). They love it.

 

[ChristineR]

Hi Marty!

I've never tried water bottles because I've always heard that they have to be able to clear their nares. I know that's the first thing my adult ducks do when they get fresh water (even though they already had muddy water). They run over and start dunking their heads and do the whole "snorting" thing to clear their nares.

 

[ChristineR]

I keep changing my mind about my Holderread's order. I need to get it in before it's too late. I've decided not to do the silkie ducks right now. Coyote told me they're loud like a call and I know hubby would not enjoy that. So I decided to just go with Saxonys and a pair of American Lav goslings. Now I'm thinking I might just skip the ducks and get two pairs of goslings, one Blue and one Lav. I don't know! I need to make up my mind, though.

 

[RiverGoddess]

I am on Team Gosling!

I had American Buffs last year & were by far my Faves ! Even over all the other breeds (yes even more than the curly butt sebs)

 

[Iain Utah]

LOL, Christine! I'm with Jazmine... get the goslings.

 

[JulieNKC]

Get the goslings.