Re: Non swimming ducks

Deb wrote:

I read all the books that said not to let the ducklings get wet until
after they had feathers, then Mama duck led them practically straight
from the shell to the 'little pond' (water bowl). I tried telling
her she was making a mistake, but she knew better. ;>

A friend suggested that because they had a Mom, these ducklings were
getting oils on their fluff that the incubatored ducklings wouldn't
have. Does that make sense?

Exactly
From the moment ducklings hatch out from under Mum they are snuggling in
amongst her oily feathers. So after teh 24 - 36 hours she will wait before
taking them for their first perambulation and show-off they will be
wonderfully oily.
Have you not noticed how they just sit on top of the water. Its almost
difficult for them to swim they are SO bouyant.

What we do with our ducklings is to give them a metal tray filled with
washed pebbles from the first week or so. This they can walk across but not
get saturated in. They are in a heated area with ever-changing bedding and a
heat lamp so they don't get chilled.
In this way they stimulate their oil glands early and by the time they go
outside here, they can cope with our rain and happily bob into the water
without a problem.
We have had ducks in the past given to us which were not given proper water
to keep clean and swim in. They spent the first week in the water with a
VERY low displacement. They were just about sunk. As they groomed and
stimulated the oils and got their feathers back into condition they
gradually rise out of the water !!


Deb - who noticed 3 new fluffballs following Mama around today

cute ness
I would not want any coming out here today -- cold wet and blooming
miserable. And this is the height of the summer season - yuck

--

regards
Jill Bowis

Pure bred utility chickens and ducks
Housing; Equipment, Books, Videos, Gifts
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine nursery
Working Holidays in Scotland
http://www.kintaline.co.uk


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  • Re: Non swimming ducks
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