When can I let my ducklings swim?

[CHlCKEN]

This is a question I don’t trust Google with answers for me. I want to let my four little ducklings start swimming as soon as it’s safe but when will that be? Also, what temperature should the water be at? How deep?

 

[fatty and friends]

warm water, places to rest, and supervised they can swim at a couple days old

 

[neo71665]

I raised ducks on a farm pond, the momma would have them out as soon as she quit hatching.

 

[CHlCKEN]

warm water, places to rest, and supervised they can swim at a couple days old

I just got them today, they’ve been home for maybe 9 hours. They’re 2 days old. Can they swim today? They are already OBSESSED with their water and thought they would like to swim some

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Yes, you can start today but start slow. I usually use a pie pan with an inch or two of water, the first day. You can sprinkle a very small amount of chopped grass or greens to the water (less than a teaspoon). After their bath, towel them off and put them back under their heat lamp or heat source. Do NOT blow them dry. Tomorrow, and every day after, they can go deeper, a little longer, and more often. Just make sure you do not let them get soaked or chilled. The water will activate their oil glands (which are above their tails) and they will spread the oil all over their feathers. In a few days they will be mostly water proof.

 

[SolarDuck]

I raised ducks on a farm pond, the momma would have them out as soon as she quit hatching.

That is because the mother has oil on her body, and when she snuggles her babies it gets onto them and waterproofs them, when raising ducklings inside they are not waterproof like that.

 

[CHlCKEN]

That is because the mother has oil on her body, and when she snuggles her babies it gets onto them and waterproofs them, when raising ducklings inside they are not waterproof like that.

I know this, which is why I don’t trust Google. It probably bases it’s answers off of that fact.

 

[CHlCKEN]

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