Chicks not drinking

[Julieh424]

Hello!

I received my very first batch of chicks today! 4 BRs and 3 Amerucanas. They are bright, alert and fun to watch! My concern is that they are not drinking their water. I added electrolytes and ACV to their water and dipped each chicks beak into the water. They just have no interest in it. Now I will add that I am feeding fermented chick starter, and they are gobbling that down. Since that is mixed with water do you think that is why they are not interested in the water? Because the fermented feed has water? They have only been here for 8 hours. I'm just a very new and paranoid chick momma lol!!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

They’ll drink when they get thirsty. No need to worry.

 

[Acre4Me]

Repeat dipping their beaks in the water. Are they swallowing the water when you dip the beak? The feed mixed with water may be why they are not drinking, though. Keep in mind that electrolyte water should not be the only choice they have. They should also have plain water available.

 

[Julieh424]

Oh ok. I'll repeat dipping their beaks and make sure they get a drink. If they still dont show an interest I'll provide just plain water and see what happens.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[DobieLover]

I have fed my flock fermented feed since they arrived from the hatchery.
The feed soaks up A LOT of water.
During this winter, I've been supplementing their fermented feed with Flock Raiser crumble about 2/3 fermented to 1/3 crumble. They are going through over twice as much water since introducing the dry crumble.
Offer plain water, keep fermenting the chick feed and they will drink extra water when they need it.
Have fun!

 

[Julieh424]

Ok that's what I was figuring lol. I'm so glad to have this forum to talk things out. I did add plain water as well but haven't seen any interest in it so far...its also only been 10 minutes.

On a very sad note, I did wake up to a dead chick!! I have no idea what happened. As with most stories I've seen, it was healthy that I could tell. I dont know what could have happened. It did have poo stuck on its bottom, but i checked and cleaned each chick upon arrival yesterday. *sigh*

 

[DobieLover]

Ok that's what I was figuring lol. I'm so glad to have this forum to talk things out. I did add plain water as well but haven't seen any interest in it so far...its also only been 10 minutes.

On a very sad note, I did wake up to a dead chick!! I have no idea what happened. As with most stories I've seen, it was healthy that I could tell. I dont know what could have happened. It did have poo stuck on its bottom, but i checked and cleaned each chick upon arrival yesterday. *sigh*

So sorry to hear you lost one.
It sounds like it had pasty butt. If a plug of droppings gets stuck and covers the vent, a chick will die as it will not be able to rid it's body of waste.
You need to check for pasty butt on all of them every day and clean it off immediately when you find it. As you have discovered, it can be deadly.
If you find that one or more gets it frequently, you need to investigate why. Stress is usually the trigger. Too hot a brooder is one source of stress.

 

[GC-Raptor]

It did have poo stuck on its bottom, but i checked and cleaned each chick upon arrival yesterday.

Pasty butt will kill quickly.
I got day old Barred Rocks last August. I cleaned butts a couple times daily, anywhere from two to seven days for one Chick.
I used a gallon water jug that I cut to soak their bottom for a few minutes in warm water. . GC

 

[Julieh424]

After examining the deceased chick and seeing her bottom, I did make sure to go through and clean off each chicks vent. Even placing the chicks that I cleaned in a separate container to be sure I got them all. They all were clear, 1 or 2 were a little dirty on their bottoms but not blocked. I will be sure to check their bottoms multiple times a day now. I'll be nervous to go to sleep tonight!

I did wipe their bottoms upon arrival yesterday and one if my Amerucanas did have a blocked vent. I cleaned her off. Now I'm wondering if it was the same one that died and it got blocked again?

Could fermented feed cause blockage? My other chicks seem to be pooping just fine. But I saw somewhere that fermented food could cause impact? then I read that others say they have only ever used fermented feed from day one. Then I asked Dr.Google...‍ ha!

 

[DobieLover]

After examining the deceased chick and seeing her bottom, I did make sure to go through and clean off each chicks vent. Even placing the chicks that I cleaned in a separate container to be sure I got them all. They all were clear, 1 or 2 were a little dirty on their bottoms but not blocked. I will be sure to check their bottoms multiple times a day now. I'll be nervous to go to sleep tonight!

I did wipe their bottoms upon arrival yesterday and one if my Amerucanas did have a blocked vent. I cleaned her off. Now I'm wondering if it was the same one that died and it got blocked again?

Could fermented feed cause blockage? My other chicks seem to be pooping just fine. But I saw somewhere that fermented food could cause impact? then I read that others say they have only ever used fermented feed from day one. Then I asked Dr.Google...‍ ha!

No, the fermented feed is not causing the pasty butt. I am one of those who have fed fermented feed from day one.
Can you post a picture of your brooder set up?