Swimming water in the brooder?

[Stedman]

I have two Muscovys a little over a week old. I feel they may be bored in their brooder. Is it ok to put a little pan with about an inch of water in it so they can play?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would only do it for a little bit and then take it away as they will make the brooder a sloppy mess.
I let mine have it every day that I had time and about 15 min or so, then they pretty much were done with it.
At a week or so, I would onoy have them in about 10 min at most, then make sure they can dry off after. I just made sure they had dry shavings to return to and a heat lamp.
They aren't waterproof yet, so can actually drown. So, only provide swim water when you are there.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Ducklings raised with mom will get oil from her feathers - but people raised ducklings do not get that advantage.

 

[harmonymw]

IME, it’s better to give them swimmies outside the brooder in a little Tupperware or something. With open water, they will ruin the entire brooder within minutes. You could give them a ping pong ball or a stuffed animal or a little bird mirror or a bell.