Ducklings' First Swim

[AlleyKat213]

So, I've been planning on turning my bathtub into a swimming area while I clean their pen. However, with the weather being windy and cold, I'm not too sure what temperature would be good. I don't want them to get too chilly, but I dont want them to get too hot. I know lukewarm water is recommended for bathtime. Also, they've still got their baby feathers, but are starting to get their adult feathers so, does that mean that they have their waterproofing oils yet?

 

[KaleIAm]

So, I've been planning on turning my bathtub into a swimming area while I clean their pen. However, with the weather being windy and cold, I'm not too sure what temperature would be good. I don't want them to get too chilly, but I dont want them to get too hot. I know lukewarm water is recommended for bathtime. Also, they've still got their baby feathers, but are starting to get their adult feathers so, does that mean that they have their waterproofing oils yet?

I used slightly warm water for bathing. I didn't want the water to be cold by the time their swimming was finished.

You can tell if they have their waterproofing oils by how the water reacts on their feathers. If it beads up and rolls off of them they are waterproofing!

Have fun with the first swim!

 

[cooingdove]

hi,
ducklings are extremely hardy birds. hot water would not be good for them and they wouldn't mind cold, they sometimes swim in water with ice, (not that i'm recomending it)
cold tap water would not be a problem at all. about their baby feathers, they can swim well, fast, and it is enjoyable for them to swim as soon as they dry out after hatching.
good luck!

 

[AlleyKat213]

Thank you so much! I've just been told to let them swim or bathe because of the fact that I dont think they've been able to properly clean their nares so I'm kind of nervous because I've also been told that they shouldn't swim before their adult feathers are in... If cold water works well, I'll try that... luckily I bought a towel to dry them off and keep their brooder nice and warm....

 

[cooingdove]

great!

 

[cooingdove]

just a note: cold tap water depending on where you live isn't always that cold, if your tap water is super cold you might add a little warm water.

 

[KaleIAm]

Thank you so much! I've just been told to let them swim or bathe because of the fact that I dont think they've been able to properly clean their nares so I'm kind of nervous because I've also been told that they shouldn't swim before their adult feathers are in... If cold water works well, I'll try that... luckily I bought a towel to dry them off and keep their brooder nice and warm....

Personally I would not allow ducklings to swim in cold water. We just had a BYC member who allowed their ducklings to play in cold water and the ducklings became unwell for hours after because they were too cold.

 

[AlleyKat213]

I dont have running water so have to buy jugs of water... lol... it works though... would it be a good idea to add minnows to the water to give them something to dive and fish for? I bought them some dried ones and have been adding some to their dunking bowl and they seem to like them...

And oh no! I'll definitely make sure its warm....

 

[fatty and friends]

ducklings can swim at 2 days old as long as they have an easy way to rest and get out if they need, and the water isn’t cold

here is mocha swimming the day we brought her home (note - it was 90° outside and we had resting places in the water so that she could easily stand up/jump out if she wanted)

 

[DuckDuckSook]

We have been letting our ducklings swim in our tub for the last few weeks. We've had them for 4 weeks now so I guess they are around 4.5 or 5 weeks old depending on how long they had them at the feed store. They love swimming! I make sure the water is warm so that it doesn't get cold by the end of their swim. I have had them in there for 15-20 min at at time. I heat up our bathroom with a space heater too because our house temp is at 66 or so. I've given them some things to stand on so they could get out of the water, but they never use them. They just love being in the water too much. It's great exercise and it cleans them up a bit too. We put lettuce and peas in the tub for treats and they go bananas! Have fun!