Handling Ducklings in 1st week?

[nao57]

So there's 2 of the ducklings that seem to always have crap, stuff, debris whatever in their hair. One of them collects it worse than the others.

I want to take him to rinse him off but they seem so fragile while they are this young. (Barely 1 week old).

I'm wondering if its better to just leave it until they get to 2 or 3 weeks, etc, or what would others do?

(Plus they freak out easy, and even more so because they are runner ducklings.)

 

[CurlyQuail]

If it’s anything that can collect bacteria I would take it off as soon as possible. Handling them often will also make them friendlier, especially if you handle them without picking through their fuzz.

 

[JaeG]

At a week old you can start to give them a warm bath so they'll be able to wash themselves. In your bathtub is probably easiest at this age, or a large bowl in your shower is another option. Make it warm (not hot) and shallow enough that their feet can still touch the bottom. Keep it short (because they tire quickly at a week old) and towel dry them before they go back under their heat lamp. You can chop up some greens to float in the water for them to dabble for. Be prepared for lots of poop (because that's what ducks do in water).

 

[nao57]

Wow...

Thanks for the replies!