My Ducklings Came Today!

[RitaK]

I got a call from the post office this morning. I picked them up, brought them home and so far so good!

I have their food and water on top if a tray of grit. I am impressed with my home made waterer. It's a baby food container that opens only on one side filled with aquarium stones.

I realize it's only their first day, but when can I let them swim? One already tried to swim in the big waterer I tried!

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Very cute!!!

When I had ducks I was told that when they are young they can only swim with supervision, and the water can't be more than two inches deep. If the water is any deeper than that when they are young, there is a very high risk of drowning. In the wild a mother duck oils the ducklings little fuzzies to make them water proof so the water doesn't absorb into their plumage and drown them. I can't remember what age domesticated ducks produce their protective oils. I think it was 6-9 weeks. Until then they can only be in water that is shallow enough that they can touch their feet on the bottom.