Can I let my 3 week old duckling swim?

[Hannah freemN]

Im raising three ducklings which are about 2-3 weeks old. Should I start introducing them to water in my sink and watch them swim?

 

[Roo5]

You should have been introduced them to water.I allow mine to swim from day olds(But this is natural,once the dry and start moving mother has them in feet deep ponds by now),so yes you should be fine.The birds should have at least a place to stick their heads deep down in, so when they can’t swim supervised they can at-least wash their nostrils and eyes out when necessary.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Yes, but I would start with a shallow dish that allows them to go in and out of the water. Make the water warm and don’t leave them alone. Only a few minutes at first, you don’t want them drenched. Increase the frequency, depth of water and time they are in it daily. The water stimulates their oil glands and they will be water proof in a couple days. Enjoy!
Edit: I’m with you Roo5, I start mine in water at 1-2 days old!

 

[Texag87]

We are brooding some right now almost two weeks. First bath was Saturday night for about five minutes belly deep. Dry with towels from the dryer, put back in brooder and watch them preen. Tonight was a repeat, water a little deeper, almost ten minutes. You could see the difference in how much oil they had. Dried off much faster.

 

[Jpat]

We are brooding some right now almost two weeks. First bath was Saturday night for about five minutes belly deep. Dry with towels from the dryer, put back in brooder and watch them preen. Tonight was a repeat, water a little deeper, almost ten minutes. You could see the difference in how much oil they had. Dried off much faster.

Funny how you towel dry them but yet each duckling preens off 19 gallons of water in the brooder

 

[MykaMom]

I've had 3 ducks(2 mallards, orphaned, 1 muscovy rescue) while doing songbird rescue. I didnt do waterfowl but it happens. I never though to be so careful introducing the 2 mallard babies to water: they had a swimming/feeding basin in their tub indoors plus they went into a kids wading pool as soon as a week old. They were with the juvenile muscovy, he was already an accomplished swimmer when we got him. I never dried them off, just kept them under a heat lamp the first few weeks. If we get muscovies next year, I'll have to reconsider the water plan!

 

[Jbently28]

I introduce my ducklings to water at just a few days old. I have a small cat litter pan that I put outside and fill up with room temp water and make a little ramp for them to get in and out. By 2 weeks old they are usually already diving and swimming under the water. I don't dry them off. I just make sure that I do it when it's very warm outside and let them dry themselves naturally. Once they are mostly dry I place them back under the heat lamp.

 

[superduckrescue]

Im raising three ducklings which are about 2-3 weeks old. Should I start introducing them to water in my sink and watch them swim?

No, ducklings have to wait 2 mo to swim to get there oil.. they will drown without a mother. they do not learn how to swim they get oil. You can interdouse them at around 2 mo

 

[chickens really]

Ducklings produce oil as soon as swimming is allowed. The water gets them to preen the oil gland. Momma Ducks introduce Ducklings to water at around 2 days old...

 

[superduckrescue]

Ducklings produce oil as so as swimming is allowed. The water gets them to preen the oil gland. Momma Ducks introduce Ducklings to water at around 2 days old...

the mother puts oil on them