Duckling Question

[BirdNerd101]

Where should i put the ducklings while cleaning out the brooder? When can they go for their first swim?

 

[themightysteph]

Well they can swim anytime. Just has to be supervised. U can put them in a box for a few minutes while u clean it. That's what I do.

 

[BirdNerd101]

They dont have to be a certain age to swim?

 

[themightysteph]

no usualy a day ( sometimes seval hours after hatching) they swim with their momma in the wild

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

I guess you need to define what you mean by "Swimming" They can go in water first day, and yes their moms do take them out first day swimming in the wild, but that is because the momma duck waterproofs the babies with her own oils which they don't have. So for us human mommies, sure you can let them play in water at 1 day old, but it should be a shallow amount of water, that they can touch bottom easily, and it should be luke warm so they don't get chilled. As they get older you can increase the water amount so they can actually swim and dive, but they should always be supervised, til they get their big feathers in and are "water proof". Not to scare you or anything, just don't want a tragedy to happen.

 

[BirdNerd101]

Thank you

 

[TLWR]

I picked my 2 new ducklings up on Friday afternoon.
The crested mallard was soaked from the brooder they were in and smelled of fermenting food. I let them get settled on Friday. Saturday morning they had a trip to the bathroom sink. The buff was diving in the sink.
Yesterday afternoon they were in the turtle pond (they can touch bottom there) and that was air temp water.
Back to the turtle pond today and they also checked out the big girl duck pond which is probably in the 60's temp wise.

They are pretty smart, they know when they've had enough. If they can't get out, you need to help them out and then make sure they can dry off.
Just swimming around, even diving, mine don't get too wet. The crested did the first time because I soaked her to get the food out so she didn't stink.

 

[BirdNerd101]

I picked my 2 new ducklings up on Friday afternoon.
The crested mallard was soaked from the brooder they were in and smelled of fermenting food. I let them get settled on Friday. Saturday morning they had a trip to the bathroom sink. The buff was diving in the sink. 
Yesterday afternoon they were in the turtle pond (they can touch bottom there) and that was air temp water.
Back to the turtle pond today and they also checked out the big girl duck pond which is probably in the 60's temp wise.

They are pretty smart, they know when they've had enough. If they can't get out, you need to help them out and then make sure they can dry off.
Just swimming around, even diving, mine don't get too wet. The crested did the first time because I soaked her to get the food out so she didn't stink.

Awww how old are your babies?