Vacation and Ducks

[Doulos]

So, I will be travelling some in May, and I will be gone up to a week at a time. I want to avoid having to ask my neighbors to come check on my ducks more than maybe once a week. Does anyone use any sort of automatic poultry waterer that's reliable? I've also thought about using 1-2 of these 7 gallon waterers, but I'm not sure how much my ducks actually drink each day because I fill up a large tub and empty it each day. Any thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/Miller-Manufa...0263&sr=8-1&keywords=7+gallon+poultry+waterer

 

[sourland]

I would be worried about them running out of water. Given an unlimited water supply, ducks will waste far more than they drink. Is there any possibility of hiring a local 4 H kid to check on them daily?

 

[Doulos]

Well, I would but I'm a broke grad student and need to figure out a more permanent solution that won't cost me much each time I need to leave. I occasionally need to leave for conferences, though those generally only last 2 or 3 days. I saw an automatic waterer on amazon, but people said it wasn't reliable. I was thinking of an faucet timer that could refill a tub twice a day. And then I have a neighbor or friend check once or twice a week.

 

[Amiga]

I have been able to work out non-monetary arrangements with a variety of people over the years. Some love duck eggs, some just like being around the critters, and I, too, don't like the idea of leaving them without someone checking in daily at the very least.