when to start swimming

[KellyandKatie]

in the wild or when ducks are raised by their mothers their moms preen themselves- and then the moms preen their babies. The mothers have fully active oil glands-- baby ducks do not.
baby ducks are waterproofed by their mothers
if they do not have a mother - they do not have oil till their own oil glands develop
plus mama duck is just like mama humans, kids would play too long till they are chilled if allowed

 

[MDC]

I provide water sufficient for bathing from the instant ducklings are brought off the nest. Usually when deaths occur due to drowning it's a management issue as opposed to a swimming issue. Healthy ducklings that can get out of water at will do not get waterlogged as a general rule. Of course, unthrifty ducklings or harsh environmental conditions have a say in the matter, too.

After several disagreements with people about this issue, I Emailed a waterfowl biologist I was somewhat familiar with about this issue because I didn't want to be misleading people. He more or less confirmed what I had felt, that buoyancy is created by air being trapped under the down and/or feathers of a bird, as well as other physiological aspects which waterfowl possess which make them boat-like and that oil keeps the feathers in good condition but ducklings do not get any significant amount of oil from their mother. I've held many a duck and never have I gotten a residual oil like what would happen if this transfer actually took place as people suggest it does. Had plenty of duck poop transfer; never any noticeable oil.

The key, as someone has already suggested, is make sure that they can get both in and out of the water as they see fit and make sure that they can get dry and warm once they're on dry ground.

 

[the 412 chicks]

it seams wierd but i had a mallrad that was about 4/5 weeks old in about 5 inches of water with an island and it drowned