While dogs and cats are certainly the norm when it comes to pets, there are plenty of people who raise ducks and keep them as pets as well. All animal lovers have one goal in mind: to make their pet’s life as simple and healthy as possible. When it comes to owning ducks, bedding is very important and something that a lot of people might overlook.
Duck and geese tend to use more bedding than chickens. Their droppings are wetter, and they tend to make more of a mess by splashing around in their drinking water. Because bedding can be such an expensive part of owning ducks, you want to find options that are affordable while still being healthy for your animals. These reviews show you some safe bedding options for ducks that can fit many different price ranges. If you’ve been looking for bedding for your new duck, then reading this article is exactly the right place to start.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Sunseed Natural Corn Cob
100% USA-grown corn cob
Highly absorbent
Biodegradable
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Best Value
Sweet Meadow Farm Straw Pet Bedding
Soft
Insulating
Safe for consumption
Check Price
Premium Choice
Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra-Premium
Highly absorbent
Made in the USA
Dioxin-free, FDA-approved paper
Check Price
Frisco Small Pet Pine Bedding
Insulating
Natural, heat-treated pine
No chemicals or by-products
Check Price
Hall’s Hay Wheat Straw
No preservatives
Highly absorbent
Insulating
Check Price
The 5 Best Beddings for Ducks
One of the best overall beddings for ducks is the Sunseed Natural Corn Cob Bedding & Litter. Compared to other standard bedding for ducks, ground corn cobs tend to be able to absorb more moisture per pound. The bedding is made with one ingredient—100% USA-grown corn cob. It also doesn’t leave behind any waste since it is completely biodegradable. When it comes to animals, you never want them in regular contact with any unsafe ingredients and thankfully, this product is free from additives and colorants. It also comes in a resealable bag to help maintain freshness.
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Bedding Type: Ground corn cobs
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Depending on how many ducks you’re caring for and the size of their enclosure, you may need to purchase multiple bags to give them fresh bedding on a daily basis.
Pros
100% USA-grown corn cob
Highly absorbent
No additives or colorants
Biodegradable
Resealable bag maintains freshness
Cons
Not enough bedding for larger enclosures
Straw is an ideal bedding material for ducks and other small animals because it is inexpensive and readily available. This Sweet Meadow Farm Straw Pet Bedding is one of the best duck bedding choices for the money because you get an entire 6-pound box for an affordable price. The straw is very soft, unlike some other straw sold online, and is great for keeping ducks warm while they rest. The bedding is also high in fiber if your ducks were to consume any. Don’t worry, though; it is also free from pesticides.
100% USA-grown corn cob
Highly absorbent
No additives or colorants
Biodegradable
Resealable bag maintains freshness
- 100% USA-grown corn cob
- Highly absorbent
- No additives or colorants
- Biodegradable
- Resealable bag maintains freshness
Not enough bedding for larger enclosures
- Not enough bedding for larger enclosures
Weight: 6 pounds
Bedding Type: Straw
Because the bedding is nearly dust-free, you won’t have to deal with a big mess or dirty air particles while you clean. However, you have to be careful to check for moldy or rotten straw that could be potentially dangerous to your ducks.
Pros
Soft
Insulating
Safe for consumption
Pesticide-free
Dust-free
Cons
Potential for mold
Even though the Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra-Premium Small Pet Bedding is marketed mainly towards rabbits, it is the perfect choice to use for duck bedding as well. This package covers 6 cubic feet and is able to absorb over six times its own weight. While it is absorbent, it doesn’t stop the enclosure from smelling bad. This bedding is made in the United States and made from dioxin-free, FDA-approved paper.
Soft
Insulating
Safe for consumption
Pesticide-free
Dust-free
- Soft
- Insulating
- Safe for consumption
- Pesticide-free
- Dust-free
Potential for mold
- Potential for mold
Weight: N/A
Bedding Type: Paper
It is 99.9% dust-free as well to reduce sneezing and irritation in people and pets, however, it is more expensive and might require a few bags for larger areas.
Pros
Highly absorbent
Made in the USA
Dioxin-free, FDA-approved paper
9% dust-free
Cons
Doesn’t prevent bad odors
Expensive
- Frisco Small Pet Pine Bedding
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Weight: 22 pounds
Bedding Type: Pine
This large bag of Frisco Small Pet Pine Bedding is a perfect choice if you’re on a budget or have a lot of ducklings in one area. The bedding is made from natural, heat-treated pine fibers that allow your ducks to burrow and keep warm through the night. The shavings are not treated with any chemicals or by-products, and they are large enough that your ducklings shouldn’t be able to consume any sawdust. It is also 99.9% dust-free to keep your home or enclosure clean. While it is absorbent, it doesn’t do as good of a job as some other materials and will not prevent odors from lingering.
Highly absorbent
Made in the USA
Dioxin-free, FDA-approved paper
9% dust-free
- Highly absorbent
- Made in the USA
- Dioxin-free, FDA-approved paper
- 9% dust-free
Doesn’t prevent bad odors
Expensive
- Doesn’t prevent bad odors
- Expensive
Check Latest Price
Weight: 22 pounds
Bedding Type: Pine
Pros
Natural, heat-treated pine
Insulating
No chemicals or by-products
Cons
Not as absorbent as other materials
Won’t prevent bad odors
- Hall’s Hay Wheat Straw Mini-Bale Small Pet Bedding
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Weight: 4 pounds
Bedding Type: Straw
Another great straw option comes from Hall’s Hay Wheat Straw Mini-Bale Small Pet Bedding. This hay is all-natural and sun-cured wheat straw made without any preservatives. It is also highly absorbent and insulating. Unfortunately, the bale is very small and pricey, so this is one of the most expensive options on the list. The straw also flakes easily and can be a bit messy at times. It is grown right here in the United States, though, and is a good choice for someone with a single, young duck at home.
Natural, heat-treated pine
Insulating
No chemicals or by-products
- Natural, heat-treated pine
- Insulating
- No chemicals or by-products
Not as absorbent as other materials
Won’t prevent bad odors
- Not as absorbent as other materials
- Won’t prevent bad odors
Weight: 4 pounds
Bedding Type: Straw
Pros
No preservatives
Highly absorbent
Insulating
Cons
Expensive
Messy
Not ideal for multi-duck homes
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Bedding for Ducks
Ducks aren’t nearly as common as pets as cats and dogs are. When you own one, it means you have a lot to learn about how to care for them properly. Bedding is only one aspect of creating a safe and warm environment for your pet ducks. While there are a few materials you can choose from, the most important thing is to make sure that the bedding gets changed regularly. Too much moisture in an environment can make mold like Aspergillosis grow and give your ducks a fungal infection. Let’s check out some of the most common types of bedding for pet ducks.
No preservatives
Highly absorbent
Insulating
- No preservatives
- Highly absorbent
- Insulating
Expensive
Messy
Not ideal for multi-duck homes
Expensive
Messy
Not ideal for multi-duck homes
See Also: How to Take Care of a Pet Duck (Care Sheet & Guide)
Straw
Straw is one of the most popular types of bedding used for small pets because it is inexpensive and available regardless of where you live. Ducks love to dig through the fresh straw and look for small grains to snack on, and it is super fluffy to make their enclosure both comfortable and warm. It doesn’t absorb moisture as well as some other materials but is an inexpensive and suitable type of bedding.
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings are another suitable bedding if it is dry. The dryer the shavings, the more likely they are to absorb moisture from the duck droppings. Shavings are also easy to clean with a shovel. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than most other options, although you can save some money if you buy them in bulk. Thicker chunks of wood will not absorb moisture as well as smaller shavings, so make sure you purchase the right size.
Rice Hulls
Rice hulls are harder to come by since they are usually only available where rice is grown. Still, this can be a good option if it is available to you. It tends to stay mold-free and is very easy to clean.
Newspaper
Newspaper, and other forms of paper, are one of your best options for high absorbency. The downside to it is that it doesn’t hold its shape once it gets wet. That means your ducks won’t have as comfortable an area to lay in. Because of this, many people choose to mix paper with another form of bedding to help save money.
Ground Corn Cobs
While they can be more expensive, ground corn cobs are ideal for duck bedding. They can absorb more moisture per pound than newspaper, straw, shavings, or other forms of beddings. They are also safe for your animals to consume if they are looking for a high-fiber snack.
- See Also: What Do Ducks Eat in the Wild and as Pets?
Conclusion
Being a duck owner sometimes means seeking out new information in order to give your pets the best care possible. Don’t overlook the bedding when considering your ducks’ care. Ideally, you should find something that absorbs moisture, retains its shape, and isn’t toxic for animals.
We have found that the best overall bedding choice for ducks is the Sunseed Natural Corn Cob Bedding & Litter. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, then you might try the Sweet Meadow Farm Straw Pet Bedding. Those without a budget could even opt for the Rabbit Hole Hay Premium Pet Bedding. Hopefully, this article has given you a range of safe options to choose from so that your ducks stay dry and cozy all day long.
Featured Image Credit: 1108545, Pixabay
