Dunking Duckling Darlings

It’s finally warm enough to let the ducklings move onto pasture at Leafhopper Farm! The need for a good bath is evident in the enthusiasm with which these ducky babes splash about. It’s important to get ducklings into water sooner rather than later, as they need to clean their heads well, and chick watering troughs are not enough. However, preventing drowning ducklings is also very important. This first pool I’ve introduced into the outdoor round pen is shallow, only 2″ of water. It’s enough to fully submerge, without sinking under. All the small birds can touch bottom and stand up to get out of the water easily. In another week, a larger swimming setup will be introduced, once everyone has a good oil coating and some feather growth.