Ducklings and water

[beerman]

I get my babies on Friday, how soon can they go for a swim? I know they need water and it would be in the house in the tub.
Thanks

 

[chicks4kids]

When they're young, they can swim only for short periods and definitely monitored because they're not old enough to produce oils yet.

Technically they could drown if they got waterlogged. They will love to scoot around in the tub when young...just make sure you stay with them and only make it for short periods of time.

 

[Wifezilla]

If you are supervising, right away

 

[beerman]

I t might be the only way to get my stinky 2 year old to take a bath

 

[foxrunbantams]

You need to wait for about 6 month before you give them a pool or pond.I have rounes/large mallards.ducks make great pets

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have given my little ones a chance to play in water about 2 inches deep at around four days old- and let them play until their fuzzy down is soaked usually only 5 minutes or so- then into warm area to dry off. Once they are about two weeks old I give them deeper water so they can really splash around and dive under the water. They love it. By around ten weeks when they go outside all day they have access to dishes and a small swimming pool.

 

[Sjisty]

I have a pyrex dish in my brooder with my three little guys (about 9 days old). It has about an inch and a half of water in it. They go in and out all day and have an absolutely great time! The brooder is big enough that the area under the light stays dry and warm.

 

[annie3001]

i have heard its about 8 weeks?

that seems like forever!

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Would you provide us with the source of the statement "you need to wait for about 6 months before you give them a pool or pond" There is no really polite way to tell you that this is MIS-information!

 

[chicks4kids]

I think that the thing to remember here, is that until their oil glands start producing oil, there is always a risk for them to drown. Just supervise them until their oil glands mature. Don't give them water that is too deep for them-make sure they can sit down in the water without drowning. Once they're feathers get saturated with water (no oil there and doesn't bead off) they become very heavy to themselves. It's perfectly fine to give them water to swim in...only it's more like wading in the beginning