What do you keep your ducklings in, inside the house?

[Amanda39]

While awaiting the arrival of our first duck and geese, I'm looking for some kind of pen to keep them in, I will not be keeping them out doors.I have a large rubbermaid container while their tiny, but what do you recommend for when theyget bigger? I was looking at portable octagon shaped dog pens. Any suggestions?

 

[rebcart1905]

Well I had mine in our pole shed, and we have a warming room in there that I kept them the first few weeks in a LARGE rubbermaid tote that worked out just fine (started with 10, now have 8)

That was getting way to small way to quickly so just in the last week or two I moved them into a large wire style dog crate into the main part of the pole shed, I did have it in the warming room but I didnt have sides on it and they wound up pooping on the carpet through the wire...now they are just about 5weeks old and well that is even getting cramped for them I feel! So my plan is to finally build the nice 10x10 "stall" for them here within the week...


But the dog crate worked great, it has a pull out tray but I bed so deep it didnt work well for cleaning, kind of a PITA for cleaning but size and convenience it works great.

 

[rebcart1905]

Will they be going outside eventually or are you planning on keeping them inside as their primary residence???

 

[Amanda39]

They will be going outside daily for walks, grazing and swimming, but kept in the house when not outside. We are only keeping them for a short time, maybe 4 weeks or so, then giving them back to the farm. The farmer owns a huge petting farm, so he gives out eggs for people to hatch, snuggle with, and get them used to people, then bring them back to the farm. Or he said you can keep them if you want. We have WAY too many preditors in our yard to keep any kind of foul outside. Dozens of raccoons, coyote, fox, sand cranes and red tail hawkes. Plus, this was just announced today... http://www.inquisitr.com/1235774/mi...farewell-to-backyard-chickens-and-beekeepers/

In the state of Michigan, you are no longer allowed to have chickens or farm animals in your back yard. It's complete BS!

 

[lgrems]

My duckling were in a brooder until the were feathered out. After that I moved them into the garage.
There I have a 6x6 dog run. Under that a tarp, then the wood shavings. A heat lamp, water and food were provided. They would go outside during the daylight and line up by the garage door at dusk.

Last winter they had a straw house, access to shelter under the chicken coop. Inside the fenced yard I would bring them fresh water and food.

A couple of squirrels would tap the feed after the ducks ate.

 

[Amanda39]

Awesome! Thank you for the ideas!!