Re: Non swimming ducks


"Jill" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Amy Blankenship wrote:
"Jill" <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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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.

Not around here. My friend who has ducks keeps them off the water
until they are too big for the catfish to eat!

<grin>
You all keep coming up with fearsome predators!!

Its still possible to give mum and babies a paddling pool so she can get
herself all cleaned up from long time sitting and the babies lurve it.

She usually buys ducklings, since it's too difficult keeping the mother duck
from doing what comes naturally. We have an alligator, so no ducks here ;-)


.

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