ducklings and swimming

[Frozen Feathers]

How soon can I let my new ducklings in the tub?? They just arrived yesterday in the mail and were shipped Wednesday, so they are about 3 or 4 days old.

 

[Critter Crazy]

you can put them in now, but keep the water very shallow and make sure they are only in for a short time. They arent waterproof yet, so their down soaks water up quick! They also need to dry off very well, so they dont get a chill.

 

[DuckLady]

Critter Crazy is correct!
Lukewarm water
5 minutes max
Towel dried
Back under heat lamp.

I use the bathroom sink when they are that tiny. There is nothing cuter than a duckling swimming in a bathroom sink! Be sure to take pics!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Thanks for the quick response.

They are awful messy little things! I've never had ducklings this young before, they are sooooo adorable.

 

[bantymum]

Awwww how cute they must be, My ducks will have ducklings in spring so it will be interesting to see when they take them swimming.
Have fun and yes post some babypics!

 

[Frozen Feathers]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7434

Click the above link and then scroll down to view my new peeps and quacks.

If you can please help identify which ducky is which....

 

[chickenlisa]

I think the last ducky is your Cayuga, and the 3rd pic is your Blue Swedish. Its hard to see 4 different duckies in those pix. My Cayugas were all black-beak and legs and feet too. My Blue Swedish looked just like #3 picture-1 was light like that and 2 were darker, but still light on chest and feet more mottled than solid black. Hope that helps.
Lisa

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I found a way to make my little ducks less messy. I use the large wood shavings from tractor supply. They eat the small shavings so make sure you use large shavings. My brooder is 4 x 4. I take a tray and then put shaving in the tray, then put their gallon waterer in the middle of the tray. Then all I have to do is scrape off that tray ever 2 or 3 days, then just add new shavings. Those are the only wet shavings that you will have in your brooder. It makes for easy cleanup. There food is just beside the water tray and it stays clean and dry. It makes clean up a breeze.

 

[Chicken Fruit]

I actually blow dry my ducklings. It takes literally 120 seconds to dry a duck.