Ducklings Died

[Stephen Brinson]

I have an issue that I am confused about. I had 10 ducklings that are 3 weeks old. Yesterday I moved them to a bigger pen and added a baby pool. This morning there were two ducks dead in the pool. I have no idea what happened. Did they drown? Are they too young for the pool? Did they need a way out of the pool?

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[NanaKat]

Yes, they drowned. Sorry.
Baby ducks that are not fully feathered do not have their preen/oil glands fully developed. Their swimming should be fully supervised and they need to be removed from their pool and dried. Empty the pool out or cover it with something to keep the ducklings out of it until you are with them. Yes, there needs to be a way to get in and out of their pool. A stack of flat rock or bricks will make a nice ramp.
I have ducklings that are just now 4 weeks old and I do not let them swim alone. They go outside to swim and then I bring them back to their big brooder inside. My mid sized batch has a kiddie pool and they are old enough to swim and be outside. They have a protected pen and coop.
The older ducks have full range of the fenced garden. They have a goat water tank and a secure coop for the night.

 

[Stephen Brinson]

Such a silly mistake. It is unfortunate to have to learn this way.

 

[eggbert420]

Sorry for your loss.