Chicks Came today, Do I put in cleaner water tonight or wait until tomorrow?

[Hoping and Wishing]

Hi all, new proud chick mom here. I ordered 6 and 7 came, Barred Rocks, 90% chance of females, Mt. Healthy chicks were delivered overnight. I was pleasantly surprised it was so fast. Some have white bums and some have more yellow bums.

Should i change out the water tonight?

I fed my babies finely crumbed 1/2 a boiled egg with their regular food and water. Some egg got in the water. They are under the heating pad with an additional seedling starter heater, under the pine shavings. No light in the modified dog kennel/brooder. I think that is right, no light at night. They seem happy. They have been going in and out to eat and sleep.Some have very lovely singing type noises. Fun to watch who is pushing whom.

 

[Cellomama2]

I say when in doubt change the water, it can never be too clean. I've used the heat light for the past three years and the chicks chirped on and off all night! This year I went with a heating pad and it is So much better. It sounds like you have it right and I love those little happy chick trills too!

 

[Sweetheat]

Congrats!! Welcome! I agree to change the water. I have been doing apple cider vinegar in their water every few changes and no problems with pasty butts! (I use 2tbsp per gallon of water) I usually change the water twice a day bc it’s easy to do

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I agree, clean the water whenever it gets nasty. And turning the light off at night enables them to settle down and sleep good. That sleep cycle is good for two reasons. One, you sleep good! And two, they grow while sleeping and that's good. Enjoy those babies and welcome to BYC!

 

[Hoping and Wishing]

I say when in doubt change the water, it can never be too clean. I've used the heat light for the past three years and the chicks chirped on and off all night! This year I went with a heating pad and it is So much better. It sounds like you have it right and I love those little happy chick trills too!

Thank you for your reply. I did change the water. All 7 are trilling this morning. Brought them some dandelion leaves. So far no pasty buts. I was wondering what to call that sing song voice.☺

 

[Hoping and Wishing]

I agree, clean the water whenever it gets nasty. And turning the light off at night enables them to settle down and sleep good. That sleep cycle is good for two reasons. One, you sleep good! And two, they grow while sleeping and that's good. Enjoy those babies and welcome to BYC!

Thank you for your reply and welcome. They did sleep well. I learned this morning to keep my routine of taking care of my dog first, then the chicks.
I am thrilled seven went to bed and seven woke up. Weighed them this morning. My smallest is 33 grams, largest 41 grams. Monitoring the little ones for growth.
How many days should they use electrolyte water?

 

[kana9]

Does your brooder have space for two waterers? I have one with plain water and one with vitamins/probiotics for my week old chicks, and plan to keep both for another week and then switch to a bigger waterer with plain water only.

 

[blackandtan]

Welcome! I love the little chick trill too

 

[Hoping and Wishing]

Does your brooder have space for two waterers? I have one with plain water and one with vitamins/probiotics for my week old chicks, and plan to keep both for another week and then switch to a bigger waterer with plain water only.

That is a thought, but its a long ride to get another waterer. Maybe I will slowly dilute the electrolyte water after the first week? At what week will I need more than a one quart waterer for 7 chickens?

 

[Hoping and Wishing]

Congrats!! Welcome! I agree to change the water. I have been doing apple cider vinegar in their water every few changes and no problems with pasty butts! (I use 2tbsp per gallon of water) I usually change the water twice a day bc it’s easy to do

Thank you for the welcome. I may need to do that as well since this is their first whole day with me. Any secrets to not spilling water when you turn it over without a towel under it?