Swimming lessons.

[AnaD]

I'm about to give my ducklings a swim in a casserole pan, maybe 2 or 3" deep.
How warm should the water be?
How long should they swim?
Should I dry them off?

 

[tinychicky]

you should be able to hold your elbow comfortably in the watre for about a minute if it's anything like bathing a chicken. i don't know about everything else, though.

 

[SassyKat6181]

Here is a link that I found: http://www.carolinecrockeroriginals.co.uk/sheldon_pages/handy_hints_for_raising_duckling.htm

I am new to ducks, so I only know what I've read. Hopefully someone else will offer up some "real" tips for you. I am eager to know as well since mine are about a week old.

 

[TLWR]

I did water about as warm as their brooder was supposed to be. So if the brooder was 90, the water was close to that. Brooder was 85, water was close to that.
I brought them in for the first couple of weeks to swim in the tub, but let them run around the bathroom for a while first. Swim last, towel dry and back out to their kennel in the heat and under their light.

 

[AnaD]

They are a week or so old. We ended up using only warm water for their bath. They showed no signs of being cold. It was a fun time! Now I know they would like it DEEPER also. Oops, I under estimated their abilities! I think swim time will be a new ritual for after TT (terrible two) goes to bed.

 

[sheila3935]

At about 2 weeks I started putting mine in the bath tub. Warm not hot water and not so deep as they can stand up in. I started by letting them swim for about 5 minutes and increased time with each swim. After I towel dried them and put them back in brooder. As they grew so did the depth of the water. After about a week I put a small tub that they could get into and out easily in the brooder so they could clean as needed but still let them have bath time once a day. Made a royal mess in the brooder but they loved it.

 

[AnaD]

Next time I'll give them something a little deeper to swim in.

 

[TLWR]

Mine were in the tub at a week with something they could get on if they wanted a swim break

 

[dumb_cluck]

Short swims in luke warm water and DRY them off. Deeper is good, but be the life guard!

Lots of towels recommended!

 

[AnaD]

Tonight we'll use the tub! Great pictures! Ducklings are so gosh dang flipping cute!!!!