Help with Baths for 1 week old Runner Ducklings

[Sallyp123]

Hey guys,

I’m new on here but found this site so helpful when I was doing research before I got my ducklings So I decided to join.

Im now a duckling mama of 4 8 days old Runners. I let them settle in for 2 days and ran them a warm shallow bit of water in the sink but they were more interested in trying to get away from me then swimming. I understand that most ducklings act like you’re going to murdered them but do I keep going with bath time or not?

I took each one out after 2 mins and dried them and put them back in the brooder as they were kicking up such a fuss

 

[casportpony]

Sorry no one replied. How are your ducklings doing?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Don't know anything about ducks, but they need more feathers before they become waterproof and can swim, don't they? What age does that happen? Hmm, sounds like a question for @WVduckchick.

 

[WVduckchick]

As long as they are dried off really well afterward, a few minutes in a warm bath is fine. Just don’t allow them to get too oversoaked. Their baby down will get waterlogged quickly, but they will preen and get their oil glands working more each time. Get them dry and warm quickly afterward.

Momma ducks have babies swimming before the final hatchers are even a full day old. She helps them dry off and stay warm, and spread their oils to get waterproof, but we can do it with brooder-raised ducklings too.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

As long as they are dried off really well afterward, a few minutes in a warm bath is fine. Just don’t allow them to get too oversoaked. Their baby down will get waterlogged quickly, but they will preen and get their oil glands working more each time. Get them dry and warm quickly afterward.

Momma ducks have babies swimming before the final hatchers are even a full day old. She helps them dry off and stay warm, and spread their oils to get waterproof, but we can do it with brooder-raised ducklings too.
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Thanks, @WVduckchick

 

[Sallyp123]

Sorry no one replied. How are your ducklings doing?

They are doing so well!! 4 weeks old now and growing like weeds. They love the water too, I think it was more of a trust thing with me and them but with a bit of time and patience we got there haha