What age for bath time?

[my sunwolf]

I just adopted 6 baby Rouen ducklings from TSC and have been doing a bit of reading up on ducks... So I now understand about niacin, dunking heads under the water, and water available preferably 24/7, mandatory when there's food.

The one thing I can't seem to find a consistent answer on is: what age can they start taking baths? I had a shallow water dish in there with them for about 10 minutes and they all hopped in and started trying to swim in 1/2 in of water... it was pretty cute, but in about 2 seconds it was full of shavings. Right now they're doing well in with the chicks and a deep chick waterer, and I'm planning on moving them to a real duck habitat in a few days. Can we start baths in a bowl now? Should I wait until they're older to let them play in the water?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just adopted 6 baby Rouen ducklings from TSC and have been doing a bit of reading up on ducks... So I now understand about niacin, dunking heads under the water, and water available preferably 24/7, mandatory when there's food.

The one thing I can't seem to find a consistent answer on is: what age can they start taking baths? I had a shallow water dish in there with them for about 10 minutes and they all hopped in and started trying to swim in 1/2 in of water... it was pretty cute, but in about 2 seconds it was full of shavings. Right now they're doing well in with the chicks and a deep chick waterer, and I'm planning on moving them to a real duck habitat in a few days. Can we start baths in a bowl now? Should I wait until they're older to let them play in the water?

Thanks for any advice!

If you can give the nice warm water and make sure they don't chill, no reason they can't play in it now, a sink is a good place to start with enough water to cover their legs, make sure to stay right with them because they may try to launch themselves out and hitting the floor wouldn't be much fun, after about 5 min. take them out pat dry and put back under heat lamp. Have fun and takes pics we love to watch babies play in water.

 

[kada6305]

I have bathed mine since day 1. i got 3 mallards that were 3 days old and have been giving them swimming sessions since day 1. i just put a thermometer in water and make sure its around 90 F put water up to the top of their legs so they can still touch but can swim too if they want Just got to keep a close eye on them. have fun !!

 

[griemar]

I have bathed mine since day 1. i got 3 mallards that were 3 days old and have been giving them swimming sessions since day 1. i just put a thermometer in water and make sure its around 90 F put water up to the top of their legs so they can still touch but can swim too if they want Just got to keep a close eye on them. have fun !!

+1 I also bath from day 1 and have never had an issue. Just keep a constant eye on your babies because even though they can swim, they aren't water proof yet and they can topple over. 5-10 minute at first, you can tell when they are getting tired. Then pat them dry and smother in love.

 

[EggsnQuackers]

We let ours swim right from the start too. A tub or sink of warm water is perfect. We let them play until they start getting tired then put them back in the brooder under the heat lamp. Everyone is telling you to supervise, which is important, but really when they're that little you're not going to want to stop watching them. They're hilarious.

 

[GloryGirl]

Miss Lydia,

Inspired by your response we went ahead and gave our 3 Welsh Harlequins some water time this evening. We used a clear tub on the floor so that if they did try to hop out it wouldn't be too far to fall. My husband took video and pics.

 

[kada6305]

Miss Lydia,

Inspired by your response we went ahead and gave our 3 Welsh Harlequins some water time this evening. We used a clear tub on the floor so that if they did try to hop out it wouldn't be too far to fall. My husband took video and pics.

oh how cute !! did they go under and dart? that's what mine did the first time and got us all wet! lol they will outgrow that shortly. We used something around that size for our 3 at first too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Miss Lydia,

Inspired by your response we went ahead and gave our 3 Welsh Harlequins some water time this evening. We used a clear tub on the floor so that if they did try to hop out it wouldn't be too far to fall. My husband took video and pics.

ADORABLE, now they are ready for the tub

 

[GloryGirl]

kada, yes they did quite a lot of diving and darting especially when we poured more water in.

I can hardly wait to get them to a pool outside! That little tub surely won't hold them long and our bathtub is not really a good option.