Chicks not drinking

[Julieh424]

So I have the jug in the corner with ACV and electrolytes, the metal one I added this morning with plain water, and their little lid of feed. The bedding is Aspen shavings. And the "mother hen" heating pad hideaway is holding right around 90-95°.

 

[Julieh424]

It looks odd being on a dryer, but we do not use the dryer. I also keep the doors closed to keep my cats away from them.

I do have a male cat that meows in the middle of the night. Could that have scared the chick to death?? The others seem unfazed by his nonsense.

 

[Julieh424]

Not to be gross, and delete if not allowed, but two chicks just pooped. Heres what their poop looks like. Maybe that could help?

 

[Acre4Me]

So far, it seems that some chicks are a bit more prone to pasty butt than others. In our few batches of chicks, it is the same one or few that have it and need 1 or 2x per day attention until they are several days old, when it finally seems to resolve itself. Even the ones that a momma hen has adopted and mothered - still one or two that consistently had pasty butt the first few days. Good Luck!

 

[Mosey2003]

They really don't need electrolytes, and sure don't need ACV, especially with fermented feed. Give them just plain water and thoroughly wash their butts every day if anyone is dirty. When they get pasty, it can keep happening daily for awhile.

 

[rkapfen]

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!!

Something I do is tap the top of the water with my finger and make a chirp chirp sound to call them over to it. Sometimes they just need to see where things are in the brooder. If they’re active and eating I wouldn’t worry too much about it though!

 

[aart]

They really don't need electrolytes, and sure don't need ACV,

Especially mixed in the same waterer.
Just have plain water in the waterer.

 

[Julieh424]

That does make sense. I'll give them only plain water then. They do seem to be thriving. We were able to get a replacement chick last night. Since they didnt have any left of the breeds I already had, we went with a BO. I just checked on everyone this morning and they all seem to be doing just fine.
I've also started a "vent check" schedule lol. Well a very loose schedule of checking them 3 times a day. I'm a little paranoid now haha.

I can not thank you all enough for your help, kind words, and advice!