Can someone please explain how baby chicks EVEN MAKE it thru SH?

[GiddyMoon]

Honestly..how do they make it a few days without food and water and with all that bumping around? They are so tiny and sensitive it seems..lots of people do it, so I did it too..but I always wondered how they could even make such a journey

Adding this question: I see people who say, a clean warm place, fresh food and water..but then I see others who add electrolytes etc for when they arrive..what do I need to have on hand just in case?

 

[ARose4Heaven]

The feed and water I can answer. The first 3 days, they are still using up the yolk sack, so don't need feed/water.

As for the shipping stress, beats me. Have you ever seen a video of how they are handled in the larger hatcheries? not exactly gentle. They must be tougher than they look.

 

[scbatz33]

That's because they aren't "tiny and sensitive" they are tough little buggers and we are the ones who over baby them. Baby chicks are some of the strongest baby animals I've ever raised. Food and water and they just keep going and going.

You want a "sensitive" baby, try raising thoroughbred foals!

 

[GiddyMoon]

Thank you both..I guess I already knew the answers but it still seems so crazy. I didn't think about the yolk sack..thank you for that. SC, I agree with you on that..it's just I see so many people with chicks who die during transit or within a week of arrival.. We area society who has completely lost it when it comes to humanizing animals

I see people who say, a clean warm place, fresh food and water..but then I see others who add electrolytes etc for when they arrive..what do I need to have on hand just in case?

 

[suzeqf]

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i 100% agree i would much rather raise chicks than pups or horses or calves chicks are so much easier and hardier.

 

[scbatz33]

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I have never added sugar or electrolytes or anything else to chick water. When I have received shipped chicks, I have everything ready before they show up. The biggest thing I think people forget, or do incorrectly is water. When you get your chicks you need to dip their beaks in the water. Don't just let them find it.

BUT BUT BUT! make sure it is tepid water. Cold tap water or any other source will shock their system. That can cause them to shut down. I always dip beaks in mildly warm water.....this is regardless if I hatched them, bought them locally or had them shipped.

All that being said, I do have a couple packet of "chick rescue" from TSC on hand just in case. It's a good idea to have "just in case" supplies on hand. First aid kit for chicks, if you will.

 

[CrazyCatLady76]

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All babies are tougher than they look.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

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...or human kids for that matter!!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Add another who never adds anything to the water. I've had very, very few cases of pasty butt and I speculate that this is why.

 

[lady feathers]

If when they arrive some of them are looking abit down/droopy omthe trip and you haven't gotten some "save a chick" you can also add some sugar to the water to help them out..... but get rid of any left over water within a few hours as it can go bad! Have fun with your shipment!