I need some help!

[LindseyM12]

My mom said that ducklings are not born with the oil or whatever on their feathers cause the mom gives it to them. Is this true??? If so, how do you give it to them?? Thanks!!

 

[melodylee]

it's true...you just supervise their swims make sure they get dry, they get oil when they get their "big boy" feathers.

 

[Amiga]

I read recently that ducklings that are raised without a mom get started earlier with preening behavior (squeezing their oil gland and rubbing it onto their feathers) and the functioning of their oil (also called preen) gland if they are allowed to swim - supervised, of course - in shallow water that is the right temperature.

 

[melodylee]

huh I just thought all baby ducks did the cute preening!

 

[LindseyM12]

Quote:
What is the right temp. ?

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I start off with luke warm. You don't wan't them getting chilled.

 

[dumb_cluck]

I have raised Mallards and believe it or not, they will start preening on their own. I introduced mine to a kiddie pool tipped up an one end with a bit of water in it. They will be afraid at first, so don't just throw them in. They will take to the water in just less than a minute. Then you will need to supervise the activity. They will start splashing around like maniacs. Then they will one by one leave the water and start to preen and dry off.

This is where I draw the line for swimming for the day. Have fun!

You can read about mine here: http://www.thebigskyranch.com/mallard_family.htm

 

[Amiga]

I am a bit of a geek, so I use a thermometer and have the water at 90 degrees F when they get in, and let them swim for three to five minutes when they are tiny, increasing the time as they grow.

 

[chickboss]

I let mine swim with warmish water in the bath tub...then scrub it like crazy when they are done. I'm such a newbie, I didn't even think that they might be afraid when I tried it. I just plopped them on in (they could stand in it). Luckily mine were pretty happy about the whole thing. We did know about the oil thing, so made sure that they were towel dried, and tucked them under the heat lamp and watched for shivering. They did fine. It is now a regular thing. We started this at around 2 1/2 weeks. They are 4wks now.

 

[WadeMD]

I let mine into 82-84F water (meat thermometer ftw) for a good 10 minutes at less than a week old. The first couple of times, they could stand.

They also started using their oil glands within the first week. However, as they grow their feathers rapidly (they are at week 3 now and just starting) - not to mention their bodies!! - they cannot keep up with enough oil to keep from getting a bit water logged. 5-10 minutes max is what I let them play at in the tub or pool, with a way to emerge.

I have actually seen a sheen on their outdoor pond as they leap in for the first time, so I know that they are putting some oil on their feathers (just not enough).