Baby ducks and water

[Kansaseq]

Let mine 'swim' at 2 days old. It's a riot to watch them dive under the water! They loved it. I did make the water nice and warm, not too deep, and kept a close eye on them. After, I toweled them off, and gave them all a nice blow dry.

 

[Duckles]

Mine started swimming after about 3 days, they were fine in a warm bath tub. One little fatty would start sinking after a while so I would take him out early. But as long as you keep an eye on them to prevent drowning and you make sure they get snug and warm under the heat lamp, I'd say you're good. It's so fun to watch! post pics

 

[Baralak]

Wow... 2 weeks before first bath... Mine hit the water at day 2 or 3.. being they are already about day 3 when you get them.


My 3 day olds in the bath tub.. it only has about 3 inches of warm water and I am there with them.

 

[markbirds]

I would wait because they do not have the oil to protect them, that they get from the hen.

 

[cbrown86]

My ducks liked the water 3 days after I got them. They were about a wk old.

 

[hennyannie]

The Duck ABC's :

I have mine swimming from day 3 on. First it is a paint tray with warm water placed into the bath tub. Have a washcloth hang over the side so they can get out. They will splash so here you have an area you can easily clean after wards. You must be present at all time, because they can drown if they get exhausted. You will see when they have enough, because they just start to stand around doing nothing. That is when you take them out, paper towel dry each one of them and put them back into the brooder underneath the warm lamp. You will also notice that they start to preen within days. Not that they are producing the preen oil yet, but they do perform the grooming motions. Early water exposure does promote the preen gland and they will produce their oil earlier then without swimming. Never provide a water swimming pan in the brooder. They just don't know when to stop, get chilled and can die. Controlled environment and warm water only.

Cant wait for a new read.​

 

[Frizzy Chicks]

You all are great. Thank you for the posts. As soon as I give them their first bath we will take pics and post them!

So excited, now I cant wait.

"Your ducks are adorable! I want to get some, I currently just Have chickens!"
We started out with just chicks and we went to TSC to look at their chicks to see if we could determine what breed ours are, and My husband fell in love with this little runt Rouen. He was being picked on and trampled, so we took him. They warned us he might not make it and we didnt care. We had to buy 2 others though because you have to buy them in multiples. In the end they gave him to us for 25 cents. They are all doing good, and the two bigger ducks are very protective of him.

 

[rainplace]

These are some of mine at a few days old:

 

[Frizzy Chicks]

I dont think the dog likes the guests in his water bowl.

They are very cute. Thats a good idea, I think I will use the small tin I use for my dogs food bowl. Perfect size.

 

[Anya_K]

thats SUCH a CUTE PIC of pup and ducks! <3