yeah this is kinda a good way to make sure they are eatingWhen I first put my newly hatched chickens in the brooder I always dip their beaks in the water and scatter some chick crumbs on the floor and their inquisitiveness always seems to make them peck at it then eat it. Also I make sure to put some marbles in the water for the first week or so to make sure they can drink between them but they can't drown in it.