When can my ducks swim freely in my canal?

[Daisy5381lindsay1]

How long will it take my ducks to grow in all of their feathers? I have two 10 week old and one 12 week old. Even the 12 week duck doesnt have all of his waterproof feathers in yet.
When can i put them in my canal ? How do i know when i can do so?
Thank you.

 

[chickens really]

Ducks can swim at two days old and water stimulates the oil gland...I'm sure your Birds are old enough to go in the canal and will come out as they choose too....Might take a few days to jump in but once they do they will have fun....

 

[Daisy5381lindsay1]

Im scared the will get tired and drown. Do you think they will know where to come back to?

 

[chickens really]

Im scared the will get tired and drown. Do you think they will know where to come back to?

Does it not have a shore?.....If not? Then never put them on the canal because any Duck would drown if they get tired and can't find a way out?

 

[Daisy5381lindsay1]

It has a shore but on very high tide they will have to use the ramp that i will build to get up to the backyard.

 

[Tlmcq]

I have 2 week olds that go in and out of my pond. They figure it out fairly quickly. I do keep an eye on them at this age but my 7 week olds went in very early on and it helps to bring in their feathers and stimulate their oil gland. At 10 to 12 weeks they should be perfectly fine.

 

[chickens really]

It has a shore but on very high tide they will have to use the ramp that i will build to get up to the backyard.

They will figure it out....They do remember where home is so I think they will be fine....

 

[Tlmcq]

Yes as chickens really mentioned they need to have a way out. I would start out when tide is lower and that way they get familiar with area and where the ramp is before tide comes up.

 

[Tlmcq]

Depending on breed of duck, you may be surprised at how effective they are at getting out of area. My smaller breeds flap their wings and pop right out of water...my bigger Pekin has a bit more trouble getting her big butt out...lol. But if she gets startled she can even get out with a quickness

 

[Tlmcq]

They will love the swim time...oh and don't get too alarmed when one decides to dive under and disappear only to pop up a few feet away. That's just what they do so fun to watch them