how soon can duckling take a swim???- updated with pics

[yomama]

I have a 3 week old duckling. I was wondering if it was ok to let him or her swim around in the bath tub for a little while. If so, how long is ok? do I need to thoroughly dry it off after, or will it dry on its own in the brooder under the heat lamp?

Thanks!

 

[paddock36]

No, not all by itself. You need to get into the tub with the duck. Oh, and make sure you take pictures or it can not learn to swim.

 

[duckyfromoz]

3 weeks is old enough for a shallow tub. But since it still hasnt got adult feathers it will get very wet- and heavy quickly. 5 minutes in 4-5 inches of water while supervised is what I do at around that age. And I always make sure they have a warm place to dry off and preen themselves before going back into the brooder. That way they dont dampen all the shavings in the clean brooder when getting out of the tub. I usually get mine out with a towel- and give them a quick wipe to remove the excess water- but allow them to dry and preen themselves.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

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I let mine swim today and they are just about a week old.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

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Yes and do towel dry them before put them back in the brooder. Give it some greens in the water, it will like that.

 

[bigdawg]

i let mine swim at 3 days old. just a few mins at first. then by two weeks they were up to 30 mins. you can tell when they get tired. and i let mine preen them selves dry. now at 6 weeks they get daily swims in the creek. when there done they come back to the coop on there own.

 

[DuckDuckMoo]

I sure would like to see pictures of someone in their duck pond teaching the baby ducks how to swim, in fact, video tape it please, LOL.

This is my favorite picture, this is my duckling practicing to be a swim suit model hehe...

This is of the whole gang in the bath tub. They LOVED the greens in there with them. All though, wasn't so fun to clean out...

 

[6chicks&aduck]

Cute, looks like they had a blast !

 

[monathequeen]

hOW CUTE !!!!!
Yes make sure you never leave them alone at that age and two to four inches of water is good. Make sure it's warm water and not cold...
They can tire easily and if they do, take them out. I put a towell on the floor and take them out one by one and let them dry off. They will drown if they get too wet and tired.
They LOVE water and I would'nt over do it. once a day is enough.
Once they are big enough, 4-5 weeks, you can fill the tub and they will swim around under the water. chase eachother. It's so funny to watch them....like We said, don't leave them alone for a minute......have fun....I'm getting 6 new ducklings this weekend...can't wait.

 

[paddock36]

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Aww. You guys ruined my plan. It woulda been great to see the photos of the swimming lessons

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