Chicks not seeming to figure out where food is.

[ONSTAD1]

I just got 5 chicks. They are 5 days old today and up until yesterday were in a different home using different starter than I have.I've had them for about 16 hours and it seems they haven't figured out the whole feeder system thing. This am I put some starter in my hand and offered it to them that way and after just climbing around on my hand for 5 min 2 of them sort of pecked at the food, but not much. A bit of the food fell on the floor of the coop and a they all seemed to go after that. So, I finally just dumped the palm full of food on the floor and moved the feeder right next to the pile. Should I be doing anything different? Wishing I had taken a cup or two of feed from Becky to get them started on the new feeder. Am I just being a worry wart? I guess when they get hungry enough they will start pecking at stuff till they figure it out. Thoughts?

mo

 

[TexasLea]

For the first few days with little ones, I use a paper plate. I set it in the brooder and then proceed to "peck" at the chick starter with my fingers. Then I sit back and watch for several to come check it out. Usually, some of chicks come to check it out pretty quick. Once a couple are eating, more will come over to investigate and eat too. When it gets tot he point where more of the food is getting knocked off the plate into the bedding than is being eaten, I move up to putting the food into a chick feeder. At the change I again do the finger peck thing just to make sure they understand.

 

[ONSTAD1]

For the first few days with little ones, I use a paper plate. I set it in the brooder and then proceed to "peck" at the chick starter with my fingers. Then I sit back and watch for several to come check it out. Usually, some of chicks come to check it out pretty quick. Once a couple are eating, more will come over to investigate and eat too. When it gets tot he point where more of the food is getting knocked off the plate into the bedding than is being eaten, I move up to putting the food into a chick feeder. At the change I again do the finger peck thing just to make sure they understand.

thank you. My pile of food on the floor next to the feeder worked like a charm... they are eating like little monsters now... really think they didn't eat for the last 16 hours ; )