Wildlives Rescue Centre helps ducklings become waterproof

But now duckling season has fully fledged, Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre is caring for dozens of ducklings, alongside hundreds of other animals.

Because the rescued birds are not in the wild, they are unable to become waterproof without help from their mother.

So how do ducklings become waterproof if they are not in the wild?

Young - some of the ducklings at Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (Image: Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre)

Rosie Catford, founder of Wildlives, said: "Unlike ducklings raised by their mum, orphaned ducklings don’t automatically become waterproof.

"In the wild, female ducks have an oil gland by her bottom, which she uses to coat the ducklings in the water, making them waterproof.

"Without her, they have to gradually develop their waterproofing themselves through increasing time in the water and lots of preening.

"One of the most important things they need to learn is how to become waterproof."

Hatchlings start their life in a warm vivarium and may only have water before being moved into an outdoor pen.

This new area has infra-red heat lamps and a shallow litter tray filled with water, where the ducklings first learn to swim.

Rosie said: "Once they’re bigger, they graduate to a paddling pool around a foot deep, where they can swim properly, start dipping beneath the surface.

"Finally, they move into our purpose-built enclosure with a four-foot deep pond, where they can really swim, dive and continue developing their waterproofing.

"Our older shelducklings are currently at this stage, sharing the enclosure with some mallard ducklings and older gull chicks.

"While these might seem like simple steps, it’s a lot of work!"

During their final stage of waterproofing, the ponds need refilling with clean water everyday, which takes workers three hours.

"Without this gradual process, ducklings simply soak up water like little sponges.

"If they were released before they were fully feathered, waterproof and old enough, they wouldn’t survive - they would become waterlogged and easily drown.

"These little ones are making great progress, but they’ve still got at least another month before they’ll be ready for life back in the wild."

Wildlives relies solely on public funding anddonations go towards veterinary bills, food, bedding and other items used to save Essex's wildlife.

The centre can be contacted on 07802 767016.

For more information or to donate, visit www.wildlives.org.uk.