2 day old chicks not drinking

[Lerouxcatcher]

Hi All, I hatched two chicks on Thursday evening so they are just under 2 days old. They have started taking small amounts of food but I am having trouble getting them to drink. I have tried guiding them to the water to no avail. Is this normal or is there anything else I can do?

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi All, I hatched two chicks on Thursday evening so they are just under 2 days old. They have started taking small amounts of food but I am having trouble getting them to drink. I have tried guiding them to the water to no avail. Is this normal or is there anything else I can do?

Did you dip their beak in the water?

 

[Lerouxcatcher]

Did you dip their beak in the water?

Yes, they really resisted me doing it

 

[cherrynberry]

Hi All, I hatched two chicks on Thursday evening so they are just under 2 days old. They have started taking small amounts of food but I am having trouble getting them to drink. I have tried guiding them to the water to no avail. Is this normal or is there anything else I can do?

Yes, they really resisted me doing it

I wouldn’t worry much at this point. They will likely come around once the need arises. They are still very young and I wouldn’t expect them to drink a whole ton and this point.

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Did you dip their beak in the water?

Yup, kinda force the tip of their beak in there. Chicks don't need a whole lot at just two days, instinct will help them out

 

[Jaime918]

My last 3 really had no interest in water until about 4 days. I would dip their beak whenever I would be in the room because I wasn't seeing them drink and eventually they just kind of figured it out.

 

[azygous]

You need to teach them by dipping their beaks in the water. Keep doing it until they get it. It shouldn't take long. You can also encourage them to drink more by putting sugar in the water, about a teaspoon to a cup.

 

[Lerouxcatcher]

Update - both chicks are drinking now and growing in confidence. Thanks for the responses!!