Swimming

[Shellysstuff7]

Hi, everyone! Again I have a question. I have 3 ducklings that are 2 weeks old and the hatchey said to wait until they are 8 weeks old or fully feathered to allow then to swim. Do any of you let them swim before that age? I understand that you have to keep them warm and safe because they don't have the mothers oil on them but I also know they love the water. Thanks for any info you can give me!! I am learning SO MUCH from you all!!!

 

[Jpat]

Mine swim in the first 2 days

 

[chickens really]

They can swim and it stimulates the oil gland to produce oils for swimming. Definitely watch over them. I provide a livestock bowl with a brick to get in and mine are fine.

 

[PirateGirl]

They can swim. I wouldn't send them out on an icy cold pond, but if you give them shallow warm water (they should be able to stand in it) and a warm spot to dry off there's no reason they can't swim now

 

[Dees ducks]

Mine were swimming in warm bath with a brick in it at 4 days old. Now they're 10 weeks old and outside and love their pond, can't seem to get them out of it in fact!

 

[Bill83]

Yeah pretty much what everyone else said. I use a bathtub in a bathroom we don't use to brood. Once a day we clean it out and draw a warm bath and they swim around like torpedoes and then flap their tiny wings as if they "need" to dry off. Its good for oil glands as well as keeping clean. The Welsh harlequins we just got were swimming at like 4 days old they love it

 

[quackiemama]

Mine all swam at 2 days old as well. Plus it helps them not stink!!!

 

[Knighstar679]

Mine were swimming at 2 days old. It seems to help them feather out a bit quicker. My current ones love their tub times.

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

We didn't allow ours to actually swim, but we gave them a little "kiddie-pool", just a pie pan or dish that they could still stand up in and easily get out of. They made the motion of swimming but were basically just crawling through the water. So funny to watch them splash and play as babies!!!

 

[Shellysstuff7]

Mine swim in the first 2 days

Thank you!!