It isn't important to put the ducks into the water, but it is important to have water deep enough for them to dunk their heads in. If you can find a container with a lid and cut the lid just so they have room to put their head in, that should be good for them.
These are not my pics, just ones I found when I did a search. They should have access to drinking water and food 24 hrs until they are around 7-8 weeks old (most likely fully feathered by then). Do you feed the chickens anything other than rice?
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