For me, baby ducks are the definition of cuteness. I also like baby chicks, kitties, puppies, but I am quite partial when it comes to ducklings. I think they look gorgeous with their big beaks and webbed feet. Also, I love their sound. Yes, I do not deny the fact that sometimes it becomes noisy and creepy, but still, ducklings are worth fighting for! My team and I raise such birds for a long time and have figured out many ideas on how to take care of your pet.
You will need a few things to get started. It includes duck food, swimming, heat lamps, the best bedding for ducklings, predator protection, and so on! Raising ducklings will require your full attention. You have to keep everything prepared before their arrival. The positive point is that you don’t need to go far to find the stuff you will need for the bedding. Any local pet store can provide all the supplies. Now let’s find out about some god bedding material for your favourite ducks.
Bedding for Baby Ducks
To keep your ducklings safe and provide them comfortable bedding, you will need a large plastic storage container. At the bottom, place thick bedding. You can try natural things to make it all by yourself. If you are not into DIY, then there are many useful products available in the market. Just make sure that it should be cleaned or replace twice a week. You can use a cat litter scoop to remove the worst before adding the fresh layer of bedding. Clean and better the bedding, healthier and happier the ducks!
1. Duckling Brooder
A brooder is where you have to keep the ducklings immediately after their birth. It could be cardboard or wooden box, a plastic container, or a baby bathtub. Here, the only thing you should keep in mind is that their bedding has to be highly absorbent.
2. Straw
As the straw insulates well and composts easily, it is one of the most friendly materials for the duck bedding. Also, straw can make a great duck nest. Try it for the duck coop.
3. Wood Shavings or Pipe Needles
Just like straw, these materials are also useful to make a hygienic and comfortable duck bedding. Wood shavings can keep the bedding soft for the ducks and absorb quickly.
4. Tarp
Tarp and floor tiles make the process of cleaning easy. You can place it at the bottom before making the bed. It is also recommended to cover the coop walls with sticks to give it extra protection.
5. Feeder and Waterier
Each coop must have a feeder and waterier in it. There are various feeders available online, including the self-feeder. You don’t even need to refill it more than twice a week. Just like that, have a waterier filled with clean and fresh water.
6. Adequate Ventilation
Ducks and chickens need ventilation. They produce a lot of moisture through their breath and manure. It is vital to get rid of that with adequate ventilation so that the small ducklings can breath fresh air and stay healthy. Have ventilation that is neither too much nor too little. This way, you can protect the coop from the cold wind. Ventilation overheads also help to keep the coop dry.
7. Heat Source
If you are keeping the ducklings in the different coop than eir mothers, you have to arrange some heat lamps that can provide warmth for the first 15 days of their lives. You can hang the heat source above the bedding. You can also get help from the thermometer to regulate temperature.
8. Water
Basically, the ducks are water birds. Even if you are taking care of them inside the house, you have to make specific water arrangements for your beloved ducklings. They have a nature to dunk their heads into the water so that they can clean their eyes, nostrils. They also groom themselves while swimming. So, provide water in large buckets or kid’s plastic pool and fill the water that can help them to dip their heads.
Things to Remember
- You can use newspaper or cedar chips for chickens, but not for ducklings. The slick paper may damage their legs, and the cedar chips may give off harmful fumes.
- Outside of the coop should be painted or stained to keep it clean and to extend its service life.
- The professionals suggest providing a temperature of 90 degrees for the first 15 days of birth. After that, you can keep decreasing the temperature by 5 degrees each week.
- It is crucial to maintain temperature as if it is too hot in the coop, and the ducklings may feel sick and start panting.
- Keep the water pool away from the coop to prevent water spillage on the dry bed.
There you go. Now you are ready to take care of your ducklings. Don’t worry; they are going to love you. I wish you all the best for your duck adventures. 🙂