New duck momma, but A few questions?

[shaylabailey]

Just a few days ago I became the owner of a pair of Welsh Harlequins, a pair of Runners, a Blue Swedish, and a crested Pekin.
They're all growing their feathers at different paces seeing as I got them as older ducklings and they already live outside. We're making them a pond but I was wondering when they should be able to swim about it freely? I just don't want to loose any ducks to drowning, or since I'm in Westerly, RI the weather changes a lot and I don't want them to freeze either. I want them to be able to swim around ASAP on their own if in fact they are already able too. If needed I can get a few pictures of them to show their feathering progress.
Also, seeing as I have such a variety of breeds, what do you think the odds are of them having mixed ducklings? Will the runner male and harlequin male at least stick to their females? I plan to get another Pekin and Blue swedish to even them out but even so I'm curious. Also, any tips would be nice on how to decorate their enclosure or even snacks for them to eat or toys for them would be awesome.
I want to plant some flowers in their pen and around the pond but are any poisonous to ducks? Thanks!

 

[animalpro24]

Once they have all their feathers they will be able to swim freely without supervision but for now when they are around 4 or 5 weeks old, Or younger, you can let them in the pond but they have to be watched. Ducks are very hardy so don't worry too much but make sure they have unfrozen water. Planting flowers would be nice but they would soon be destroyed. lol Our ducks demolished some of our tomato plants quite easily. I think that's all i can help you with for now, Hope all of it helped.

 

[fifenashia]

When they are young or if they havent been exposed to water then they don't yet have the oil to make them waterproof. When our ducklings are young we let them swim but only in water that's shallow enough they can reach the bottom. Drowning is a real risk.

My ducks LOVE broccoli, blueberries, strawberries and worms

you can try a number of fruits and veggies and they will let you know which ones they like the most.

As far as plants around the pond, I am still researching that myself.

 

[dumb_cluck]

I wouldn't plant anything near them until you research the toxidity of the plant spieces. Most ducks like anything that is "natural" and plentiful. Mine like plain grass and clover,

 

[shaylabailey]

Thank you all very much! I suppose for now I'll just let them splash around in a shallow kiddy pool.