Almost drownd Duckling

[chickengrl]

Don't feel too bad. I never knew ducklings could drown until I happened to read it on here. Who would have thunk it? You did an amazing job helping the little kid though. Mouth to beak was what saved him clearly. I did raise a litter of labrador pups and we did sell them. I was a bit surprised when a guy called back one day and was upset that his labrador puppy couldn't swim. I said well, what do you mean? And he proceeded to tell me how he had tossed this 8 week old pup into his swimming pool and then he had to jump in and get it. Moron!

I would have taken that "defective" pup back immediatley, but we had driven it from SC to KS as the pick of the litter for a family friend. GGRRRR. They have the instinct, yes, but they still need to learn and they get tired really fast. I guess just like a duckling. Good job with your little duck!

 

[emvickrey]

Quote:
I'm sorry you went through this.


I really should write something about ducklings and how they are susceptible to drowning.


A woman drove from out of state to buy ducklings from me. They were actually a couple months old, but still in fuzz and not fully feathered. I strongly cautioned her against permitting unsupervised swimming for her ducklings. She didn't seem to take me seriously, so I took extra time explaining.

A week later she called me saying: "One of the ducklings I bought from you, that you told me not to put in the water because it will drown has drowned. Why did it die?"

I wish I had read that some where before I did that. When they where still in the house I would run water in the tub for them everyday. But there was a shallow end. I'm glad I found it in time and I will not do that again. They swim as if they are human infants. Supervised constantly.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

I am sorry!

Imagine how I felt trying to comfort an older woman who was crying on the phone. She came from out of state to visit daughters and granddaughters for the weekend. Why she came to see me first instead of on her way home, I don't understand. I assured her I would hold her ducklings for her. She was so excited, she took the ducks straight back home 8 hours away and didn't visit with her daughters (except to pick up the ducklings with her).

Given her excitement that she neglected her family and chose the ducklings, you can imagine how upset she was when one drowned.

I tried to tell her . . . she thought I was nuts suggesting a duck could drown. Especially given that these were big ducklings . . . she just didn't listen.

 

[emvickrey]

I never knew a duckling didn't swim well. But as somebody explained, the mother determines when they've had enough and gets them out. I've seem pics of duckligs on their mothers back while she was swimming. I know why now. Since I'm momma I have to keep an eye on how long they're in the water. It's cooled off now so they won't be going for another swim till it warms back up. And I will be prepared to stand guard the entire time too. We're getting the fence up around their pen which is also around their pond. So they won't have access to it till they are ready to go for a swim on their own.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Quote:
They can swim fabulously! That's not the problem, although I'm sure they can get tired.

The problem is they get waterlogged. Because momma duck didn't hatch and care for them, they aren't GREASED, thus the water soaks into their down rather than rolls off. Surely you've heard a cliche that comes to mind about water rolling off a duck's back?

 

[emvickrey]

Yes, I've heard that. And I did notice when I retreived the poor baby it was soaked to the bone. Mushy feeling actually.

I"ve been on here for 3 hours and I have got to go and tend to my feathered and fluffy friends outside. I've already done the inside ones. Gotta get off the tush and get busy. But i'll be back i'm sure.

 

[KlaHaYa Gardens]

Sounds good!

Enjoy your day!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:
They can swim fabulously! That's not the problem, although I'm sure they can get tired.

The problem is they get waterlogged. Because momma duck didn't hatch and care for them, they aren't GREASED, thus the water soaks into their down rather than rolls off. Surely you've heard a cliche that comes to mind about water rolling off a duck's back?

Ducklings can swim smashingly.


BUT their down - is not water proof like adult or even juvie feathers are. Momma does not grease them, the ducklings have their own preen gland and it takes duckling work to spread the preen oil thru the feathers (again down cannot be water proofed, but can be oiled to shed some water).


What likely happened with your baby Emvickrey is that the babe got a bit tired - does not take much to tire them at first and babies cannot jump out of the water like an older bird. Then the down starts to get wet, baby gets heavier, then starts to get cold. A waterlogged duckling does not have the power/strenght to get out of the water.

In my ducks pond, when they have ducklings - I have one area with brick/rocks what have you - built up like small steps right to the dry land, so the babies can get out a bit easier. They love to have a step that has like an inch of water over it - they will stand on that step but still play in the water.



Swimming is best for your ducklings, after the swim they will preen and start working the gland.