Can I let my 3 week old duckling swim?

[chickens really]

the mother puts oil on them

So untrue...Anyways...

 

[Knighstar679]

Many of us let our ducklings swim supervised. Starting earlier in life. Because there isn’t a momma you have to keep it short so they don’t get waterlogged or chilly. I always dry my ducklings until they are almost feathered or it’s really warm. Then put them back in the brooder, there they can decide if they will stay under the heat plate or not.

 

[superduckrescue]

We had all of our Ducklings almost drown this year because they escaped their pen and got into the big pool. Thank goodness I found them and only lost one. You can put them in for 5 minute baths but not let them swim freely or unsupervised. They must also have a way to get out and they have to be dried because they can get hypothermia. We do water therapy with ducklings who have problems walking to strengthen their legs. We wait 2 months to let them in the big pool or until they are fully feathered. We thought they were big enough at 6 weeks but again 2 got waterlogged and barely escaped death.

This all being said, different breeds have different development.

 

[Texag87]

If you start letting them swim when they are a few days old, it stimulates their oil glands and they can stay in longer on longer each time. We went from 5 minute bathes to 20 in less than a week with the ones we hatched this spring

 

[quackiemama]

I had mine swimming at 2 days old. All of them. This particular batch of ducklings I had one with curled toes so she was walking on her knuckles. Swimming has been good for her to strengthen her legs and stretch out that foot. I am always supervising, I do not leave them for a second since they are so young and can still drown. It also encourages them to preen and get that oil gland working so they can eventually float. Like the others have said make sure they get dried off and back to warmth. You just don't want them chilled. Swim time is my favorite.

 

[casportpony]

As I understand it, ducklings hatched under a duck will be waterproof because she does transfer the oils from her feathers to theirs. This is why day old ducklings hatched under a duck can go swimming.

 

[casportpony]

Any of you ever notice that a duck egg feels different than a chicken egg? Try taking a duck egg and pour some water on it, then do the same with a chicken egg. I bet you will notice that the water doesn't stick to the duck egg shell, but does stick to the chicken egg shell. Hmm, sounds like an experiment I should try!

 

[Pyxis]

As I understand it, ducklings hatched under a duck will be waterproof because she does transfer the oils from her feathers to theirs. This is why day old ducklings hatched under a duck can go swimming.

Yep! There are several articles online that talk about it, but it's also mentioned here in this scientific article about rearing orphaned mallards for release, if anyone was curious and wanted to read:

https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/831/items/1.0100790

 

[WVduckchick]

My momma duck had hers in the water when the youngest ones were barely HOURS old. As soon as the hatch was done, she wanted a bath and they followed her in!

They can still get waterlogged if they swim too long, but I noticed the ones that I brood inside get soaked much quicker than the ones momma broods outside.

 

[Leahs Coop]

When I got my ducklings from Metzer Farms I was letting them swim "supervised" the day I received them. They loved it and it was entertaining being able to watch them. They were only 2 days old and they weren't hatched under a broody