My DIY duck waterer

[Backyard DIY]

Just wondering what people's opinions are of this sunken bucket waterer. I'm very new to raising ducks and just learning as I go so I wouldn't know if there were any inherent problems or risks with this design, so let me know!

The idea was to give them something stable that they can stick their heads in but not climb in or knock over. We dump and refill each day while they're locked up.

 

[Onlyducks]

The container—is it plastic or ceramic? Ceramic can contain lead.

I use two old crock pot crocks for my ducks. The weather is hard on the pots, so they only last a couple of seasons. I have come out and found ducks sittin in the water in the crock pot, so there's no guarantee your ducks won't end up sitting in the water dish.

 

[Backyard DIY]

The container—is it plastic or ceramic?  Ceramic can contain lead.

I use two old crock pot crocks for my ducks.  The weather is hard on the pots, so they only last a couple of seasons.  I have come out and found ducks sittin in the water in the crock pot, so there's no guarantee your ducks won't end up sitting in the water dish.  

It's plastic, which I assume means it's safe. I would have thought the height of it would prevent them from climbing in but who knows?

 

[Going Quackers]

Seems okay, though it wouldn't stop some of my breeds lol the only concern i would have is it's depth... yes, they do need deep but is that to deep? does it reach a point where they cannot reach over the side?

This is a good idea if you want 'cleaner' water that does not let them in it.. not my idea but one i tried all winter and it was great, kept the water open to about -10°C

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

 

[Onlyducks]

Plastic should be safe. I usually ceramic and metal pans because they are easier to clean. Many here use a set-up like going quackers does. This prevents them from getting in altogether. I was very surprised to see a full-grown duck sitting atop a very large crock (the crocks are about 8 inches tall and have a 3 inch "lip" around the top edge).

Going quackers: The setup you show kept the water open to −10C? That would be very useful in my situation.

 

[veronicasmom]

I agree that the deep waterer could potentially cause an issue. They could get in. Believe me, they can get into things you never expected them to be able to. But getting out may be the problem. And especially young ones could get so exhausted that they could drown. What Going Quackers had is good in that respect, but not sure if they can dunk eyes and heads, hard to tell from the pic. We use flat black feed pans with notched pieces of wood across the top. They can dunk heads and drink easily but cannot get in. However, they will sit on the wood (grr) and poop in the water, so more than one is a good idea. We set them into a large top from one of those plastic storage tubs, it catches the drips and keeps the shed dryer.

Heated dog dishes used the same way as above also work great in the winter.

Just some more to think about.................................and....

 

[Backyard DIY]

Seems okay, though it wouldn't stop some of my breeds lol the only concern i would have is it's depth... yes, they do need deep but is that to deep? does it reach a point where they cannot reach over the side? This is a good idea if you want 'cleaner' water that does not let them in it.. not my idea but one i tried all winter and it was great, kept the water open to about -10°C http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

My concern with that is that they could **** in it like they always did with the drinker in their brooder, though I can't really gauge the scale with that pic so not sure if they could get their arses in it Maybe I can find something to modify mine to ensure they cannot get in

 

[handyman42]

My duck waterer/pond is an old bathtub. it has a pvc ball valve to drain it and some rocks so the little ones don't have to swim the whole time their in it (learned the hard way they need something to stand on in the water, had a couple drown) It works great. Easy to clean and will last for a week or longer before needing drained and refilled.Just a thought. Good luck

 

[Backyard DIY]

My duck waterer/pond is an old bathtub. it has a pvc ball valve to drain it and some rocks so the little ones don't have to swim the whole time their in it (learned the hard way they need something to stand on in the water, had a couple drown) It works great. Easy to clean and will last for a week or longer before needing drained and refilled.Just a thought. Good luck

They have a pond for swimming in, this was more to give them fresh drinking water that they can't constantly crap in.

 

[smonkeySK]

Just wondering what people's opinions are of this sunken bucket waterer. I'm very new to raising ducks and just learning as I go so I wouldn't know if there were any inherent problems or risks with this design, so let me know!

The idea was to give them something stable that they can stick their heads in but not climb in or knock over. We dump and refill each day while they're locked up.

I'd agree that ducks will get in there no problem!
My Campbells would be in and out constantly once shown the ropes by my more agile ducks; and I know from experience that they can hurt their feet and legs very easily

From experience there's very little you can do to stop them crapping in any open water they can find! Unfortunately it usually comes down to a couple of water changes a day, and that's more easily achieved with a few small waterers.

You could try putting a lid on with 3 or 4 holes cut into it. But you'd have to be careful that there weren't any ragged edges and that the holes are big enough that no one gets stuck.