Questions about allowing ducklings to swim

[lizzyGSR]

I have two pekin ducklings that are two weeks old today. I have read conflicting reports about when to allow them to swim, so I'm turning to my friends here at BYC for help. When do you let your ducklings swim for the first time and what do you do to make sure that they don't catch a cold or anything when they're done?

 

[ducklover700]

I have two Rouen ducklings the same age as your pekins. Actually, I started letting them swim when they were about one week old. They can't stay in the water for long, just long enough for them to enjoy it, and clean out their baby fluff/noses. I wouldn't leave them in their for more than ten mins- and the water doesn't have to be that warm. I use luke warm water for them (i used to fill up the sink, now they're too big, and I use the bathtub) Since they're still small I usually fill up the tub just enough for their feet to be off the ground. However, they will get wet, and tired pretty quickly so make sure they have some way to rest- a pie tin or something for them to climb out of the water onto.

My babes, first time swimming

mm

 

[Amiga]

My runners "swam" their second day, in about 2 inches of 90 degree F water. They were in cake pans in their brooder!

Usually every day or two, we would get all eleven into the tub, again around 90F (cooler as they got bigger), for the first couple of weeks, no deeper than the tops of their legs. Then, back into a clean, dry brooder (my beloved would watch them in the tub while I cleaned the brooder).

Those who did not immediately begin to preen after bath time were treated to a dry washcloth preening from me.

They need to be watched constantly. At first, about five minutes would pass and then one or two would begin to look tired, so everybody came out at that point.

 

[kara_leigh]

I'm not an expert, but my younger ducklings were 3 days old when I got them and they have their first swim the next day, and every day from then on. They swam perfectly fine, and they couldn't touch the bottom. I just made sure to watch them for fatigue, and took them out once they stopped playing and cleaning themselves. They liked deeper water b/c they LOVED to dive and swim under the water. That was usually the first thing they did when they got in the water.

You can see them darting under the water a bit toward the end of this video: (please excuse my terrible video taking skills hehe)

The younger ones were around 1-1.5 weeks old there, and the water was just deep enough for the oldest one (5ish weeks) to touch the bottom, so the babies floated. They loved it!

 

[ducklover700]

they're so cute! I loved the video! Just wondering, how did you get your older babies to get along with your new ones? I'm asking because my Rouens will be three to four weeks old when i get my other two Appleyards.

 

[DeCanard]

I let my ducklings swim at two weeks of age. I made sure the water was warm and let them in for 5-10 mins at a time. Now I have a small container with water for them, but it isn't that deep.....so they just splash.

 

[kara_leigh]

I got them from the same lady (same parent stock), but they weren't in the same area. I didn't do anything, I just put them together and there were no problems. Probably b/c they were all so young. They all bonded to each other right away.

they're so cute! I loved the video! Just wondering, how did you get your older babies to get along with your new ones? I'm asking because my Rouens will be three to four weeks old when i get my other two Appleyards.

 

[ducklover700]

that's good..hopefully mine will adjust that easily too. thanks for the input

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not an expert, but my younger ducklings were 3 days old when I got them and they have their first swim the next day, and every day from then on. They swam perfectly fine, and they couldn't touch the bottom. I just made sure to watch them for fatigue, and took them out once they stopped playing and cleaning themselves. They liked deeper water b/c they LOVED to dive and swim under the water. That was usually the first thing they did when they got in the water.

You can see them darting under the water a bit toward the end of this video: (please excuse my terrible video taking skills hehe)

The younger ones were around 1-1.5 weeks old there, and the water was just deep enough for the oldest one (5ish weeks) to touch the bottom, so the babies floated. They loved it!

That is so cute!!

 

[FarmerJohn5626]

they're so cute! I loved the video! Just wondering, how did you get your older babies to get along with your new ones? I'm asking because my Rouens will be three to four weeks old when i get my other two Appleyards.

Ducks aren't as serious about their pecking order as chickens are they usually accept new flock members with little to no fuss