Friday, October 13, 2017
BEFORE your ducklings and goslings arrive, there is a lot to do and we understand that prep can be stressful for new duck owners. Metzer Farms is here to help! This is one of many blogs to help you discern what you need. Let's start with your brooder and bedding.
BROODER
BROODER
When your ducklings are very young and first arrive, a brooder made out of a kiddie pool works as brooder. Wood shavings such as pine makes for great bedding. Do not use cedar chips. Please note that brooders should be in a well sheltered area, not outside. It is important that your duckling are away from drafts that can chill them.
The brooder is where the ducklings and goslings will live for the first few weeks in their new home. A brooder can be anything from a big plastic box to a kiddie pool so long as they cannot escape, they have enough room to run, and predators cannot get them.
No matter if you get two or eight ducklings, start with a space about that is about 2 feet x 2 feet or larger. For each duckling over 8 in number, add ½ square foot of space. Double these numbers if you are brooding goslings.
Baby ducklings grow quickly! As they grow, however, the space needed grows with them. By three weeks, the minimum space for ducklings is 4 feet x 4 feet and an additional 2 square feet for each duckling over 8 is needed. Again, double the space for goslings.
BEDDING
Bedding options include:
* Pine shavings (shown above in the kiddie pool)
* Hay or Orchard grass (shown below)
The brooder is where the ducklings and goslings will live for the first few weeks in their new home. A brooder can be anything from a big plastic box to a kiddie pool so long as they cannot escape, they have enough room to run, and predators cannot get them.
No matter if you get two or eight ducklings, start with a space about that is about 2 feet x 2 feet or larger. For each duckling over 8 in number, add ½ square foot of space. Double these numbers if you are brooding goslings.
Baby ducklings grow quickly! As they grow, however, the space needed grows with them. By three weeks, the minimum space for ducklings is 4 feet x 4 feet and an additional 2 square feet for each duckling over 8 is needed. Again, double the space for goslings.
BEDDING
Bedding options include:
* Pine shavings (shown above in the kiddie pool)
* Hay or Orchard grass (shown below)
The bedding in the brooder is important. Keeping the growing ducklings and goslings on a slick surface can cause them to develop splayed legs so you want a bedding substance that the waterfowl cannot slip on. We recommend that the material be hay, straw, or wood shavings as they provide easy cleanup and good moisture absorption. While sawdust might seem like a good substitute, the ducklings may decide to eat it which could lead to digestive issues.
Shown above is our brooder room setup at Metzer Farms. As you can see, we are using hardware cloth. Another alternative is ½ inch hardware cloth. This may be fine for the first few weeks, but extended use of the hardware cloth can cause problems and discomfort for the ducks later on in life.
To read our post on water and waterers, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Water and Waterer.
To read our post on feed and feeders, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Feed and Feeder.
To read our post on heating, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Heating
To read our post on other items you may need for your ducklings, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Brooder and Bedding.
To read our post on water and waterers, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Water and Waterer.
To read our post on feed and feeders, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Feed and Feeder.
To read our post on heating, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Heating
To read our post on other items you may need for your ducklings, go to Getting Ready for Your Ducklings and Goslings: Brooder and Bedding.