Temporary duckling care, a few questions.

[nuthatched]

Hi all, I'm watching my friends ducklings (rouen, I think) while she's away on a family emergency, I have the food and necessary items. I don't have experience with ducks.
1. Are the backs supposed to feel a bit boney? Their keels are nicely cushioned.
2. Should I be able to feel the crop? They're eating but maybe it's not as obviously on ducklings.
3. My friend was told by someone that they can't go into water until fully feathered or they'll sink since they don't have their mom the rub oils on them. That doesn't sound right to me.
Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are the ducklings? most of us start out ducklings pretty much right after hatch in nice warm water starting with it up to tops of their legs then gradually making it deeper always with supervision. As long as all umbilicus is healed.
Are you keeping feed and water for them 24/7 Just like chicks they need that until ready to go outside fully feathered.
I've never had Rouens only Muscovy Runners and Buffs but as long as they are all eating good the boney-backs maybe just part of a growth spurt. And yes you should see and feel the crop if they are eating good. You can share pictures if you like maybe that will help us help in case this is something to be concerned about.

 

[SilverBirds]

How old are they? I let my ducklings swim when they are two days old. Start with warm shallow and get slowly deepen over the course of a few days . Supervise at all times and make sure they aren't getting too tired. I'm not sure what you mean by boney but if they look and act healthy they should be fine. You should be able to feel their crop. Do they have access to food and water 24/7? Ducklings need access to water with their food otherwise they can choke.

 

[rjmyooper]

She picked a terrific Duckling sitter, because you care.

 

[nuthatched]

How old are the ducklings? most of us start out ducklings pretty much right after hatch in nice warm water starting with it up to tops of their legs then gradually making it deeper always with supervision. As long as all umbilicus is healed.
Are you keeping feed and water for them 24/7 Just like chicks they need that until ready to go outside fully feathered.
I've never had Rouens only Muscovy Runners and Buffs but as long as they are all eating good the boney-backs maybe just part of a growth spurt. And yes you should see and feel the crop if they are eating good. You can share pictures if you like maybe that will help us help in case this is something to be concerned about.

Hi, I think they're maybe 10 days old.
I'm free feeding and water like chicks, that much I knew. I found the crop, it just wasn't as prominent on ducklings as I'm used to on chickens.
Actually, I'm not sure they're boney or I'm not used to downy birds. It could just be me.
There's nothing I'm concerned about yet, but trust me, you'll be the first to know.

 

[nuthatched]

How old are they? I let my ducklings swim when they are two days old. Start with warm shallow and get slowly deepen over the course of a few days . Supervise at all times and make sure they aren't getting too tired. I'm not sure what you mean by boney but if they look and act healthy they should be fine. You should be able to feel their crop. Do they have access to food and water 24/7? Ducklings need access to water with their food otherwise they can choke.

Should I make a mash with the food?
They're acting fine, it could be that I've never actually touched a duck and I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[SilverBirds]

Should I make a mash with the food?
They're acting fine, it could be that I've never actually touched a duck and I have nothing to compare it to.

They'll turn it into mash on their own whether you do it or not. It spoils faster but it is easy for them to eat. How long are you keeping them?

 

[nuthatched]

They'll turn it into mash on their own whether you do it or not. It spoils faster but it is easy for them to eat. How long are you keeping them?

A week unless something changes.