Ducklings hate water?!

[DuckLover179]

I gave them a bath in the sink (I posted a topic about a clogged nostril, so I bathed them), and they were FREAKING OUT! They were so scared. I was sure to make it warm and shallow, but they HATED it. Is there a way to get them to swim (Like "Regular" ducks)?

 

[gofasterstripe]

Yes...give them a bath every day and they will get used to it. I put mine in the bath and also I have a cup of peas ready. They have a wash, then they get peas, then they have a wash & then peas, it goes on untill the peas are all gone then they swim round like scuba divers. I mushed up the peas the 1st week untill they could eat them whole.

 

[Goat_Walker]

did you give them A way to get out of the water? Was the water running ? that might have startled them.

 

[Buckguy20]

If they were not hatched under a mother duck, be sure to not leave them in the water until they have become fully feathered out. They will become watersoaked and drown.

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
I had my hands in with them the whole time, so they could get out if they wanted to (Which they did). And no, the water wasn't running. Thanks gofasterstripe, Next time I will give them peas.

 

[DuckLover179]

Quote:
My ducklings are almost 1 week old, is it okay to give them peas yet???

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=242460

In the treat list Nettie said for ducklings over 4 weeks old???