Water at night

[Quack head]

I have two older ducks that are free range and have a 1/2 pond they forage all day. They are also feed a handful of mealworms two or three times a day.

I also have three young ducks (3-4months old) which are let out in a pen (20x20) with a kiddie pool and also feed a few handfuls of mealworms during the day, but they have access to duck food all day.

I give both food & water at night, but they are making a mess of the (8'x8') night house. Should I stop giving them food and water at night? The both sets eats very little at night

 

[CoriM]

I have 6 ducks who are 7 months old. I lock them in at night without food or water and at this time of year that's for about 12 hours. They seem to do alright - they have total access all day. When I was giving water at night before their sleeping quarters were a wet mess. Now much drier, which I think is better for them. And me!

 

[johntfs]

Like @CoriM noted, anything going into a duck's bill will rapidly depart that duck out its back end. The more food and water they, the more crap/mess you'll have. As long as they get enough food and water during the day (especially important for young, growing ducklings), it's probably fine to remove food and water during the night.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don’t put food an water inside either they are way too messy.

 

[Runner duck mom]

We let our ducks have water at night but keep their water dish inside another container to catch what spills, works pretty well.

Their food goes in with them for about an hour and then we pick it up and clean the bowl for morning.
Im sure cleanup would be much easier in the morning if we didn't but it helps to lure them into their coop at night.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Having 16 ducks inside just isn’t a good idea with a water bucket. lol

 

[Runner duck mom]

Having 16 ducks inside just isn’t a good idea with a water bucket. lol

Lol, yes! We only have a few and sometimes I forget about everyone who has a bigger flock

 

[Miss Lydia]

Believe me I’ve tried. Only time mine get water an food inside is when we have ice/ snow and frigid temps then I mainly do this for my bantam chickens who won’t leave the coop when it’s like this.

 

[aart]

Having 16 ducks inside just isn’t a good idea with a water bucket. lol

OP only has 5, so @Runner duck mom's set up might work.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I don't give my ducks anything in their pens unless its extremely hot out and then they only get 1/2 bucket of water set inside and aluminum pan.