baby chicks and water needs

[Deegie]

Hi all,
I have spent a couple days researching here and thank you all for all the great information.

We are going to pick up some baby Buff Orpingtons from a hatchery about an hour away. We are waiting until the 14th since we are going to be gone the weekend before and don't want to leave little babies alone.

My question is about the water we offer the baby chicks. I intend to get a full size waterer so I can use it when they grow and put marbles in the tray.
But there are numerous things offered out there to put in the water. To be specific, our local farm store offers the following:
Enzymes/water protectant
Probiotics
Electrolytes and Vitamins

Do the little guys need any of this stuff? If so... for how long.

Also we have well water, the water from my tap is softened. The water outside is not softened. We also have R/O water available in the house. I am leaning toward the outside tap since it won't have softener salt in it and it is what I want them to be used to when I move them outside. Any opinions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[chickengirl778]

Electrolytes might be helpful for the first day, since they'll be stressed and tired when they come home and that will give them energy. Never heard of water-dissolved probiotics, but probiotics can be very beneficial to them, but probably shouldn't be mixed with the electrolyte water.