Colorado

[Adam7]

How long does it usually take for chicks to figure out how to eat and drink? I dunked their beaks in water when I first set them in the pen, I just wasn't sure when they will start doing it on their own..

 

[wsmith]

How long does it usually take for chicks to figure out how to eat and drink? I dunked their beaks in water when I first set them in the pen, I just wasn't sure when they will start doing it on their own..

they pick up on it pretty quick. They don't really need much for the first day or two though. Keep "reminding" them a couple of times each day though...

 

[coloradogal]

As i sit here crying, i have to ask what is the best, most humane way to cull a chicken. As I mentioned a three/four weeks ago, we had a chicken who was hobbling. Took her to the vet they didn't know what to do, gave us antibiotics, no help. She stands occasionally and hobbles a little but we can't keep her indoors forever and she is getting no better. If someone would like her to try and make her better or would put her out of her misery, or tell me what I am supposed to do....
Tracie

I'd also hold off if it is just a hobbling issue. It can take a couple of weeks for them to get back on their feet. I am still nursing, albeit, in the coop, a young pullet who twisted her leg and who could barely walk. It's been three weeks and she's finally walking again. Leg issues sadly happen more frequently than I'd like. They love to explore their world and it gets caught in the silliest places.

It will seem like they won't get better right away. It's even possible that she isn't even in that much misery. It's like when we hurt something. While we heal, if we stay off it, it doesn't hurt. If she's eating and drinking and seems to be otherwise engaged, hold off. Putting her outside in the next day or so after being acclimated to the inside isn't advisable but culling isn't necessarily the only option.

If I were not NPIP certified, you could drag her over here and I'd keep her in the spare bathroom while she recovered. Have you upped her protein level? Given her vitamins to address any possible deficiency?

How old is she? If she is older than a small baby, the fastest way is just holding her in your arms and in a quick movement, dislocating her head from her neck. It's fast and quick and she's held in the last moments. I use CO2 for baby chicks as it's very hard to do it effectively.

 

[Pozees]

they pick up on it pretty quick. They don't really need much for the first day or two though. Keep "reminding" them a couple of times each day though...

Right, still absorbing yolk. I'd look for the first hatch to start eating and drinking tomorrow probably, and the rest will follow pretty quickly.

 

[Mtn Margie]

How long does it usually take for chicks to figure out how to eat and drink? I dunked their beaks in water when I first set them in the pen, I just wasn't sure when they will start doing it on their own..

Day three is when they really become eating, drinking monsters that bop around like crazy and then pass out standing up. Too cute!

 

[Adam7]

Thanks for the replies. I won't worry for a day or two then.

So I dot think any more are going to hatch, it's possible but doubtful. I have 3 total. All look healthy to me, one has a toe that isn't fully spreading like the other two. Not sure if I should worry or not, she is running all over and is very fast, not sure if its a common issue.

Possibilities for chicks are: 1 is pure Marans I'm fairly certain. 1 is definitely an olive egger as it isn't black like a Marans and it came out of a Marans egg. The other is either a olive egger or pure EE. It has the same coloring as the OE but it has more feathering on the legs...

If I keep these, would they be ok with the chicks I am suppose to get next Friday? They would be 4-6 days apart in age I believe.

 

[dennarahl]

Thanks for the replies. I won't worry for a day or two then.

So I dot think any more are going to hatch, it's possible but doubtful. I have 3 total. All look healthy to me, one has a toe that isn't fully spreading like the other two. Not sure if I should worry or not, she is running all over and is very fast, not sure if its a common issue.

Possibilities for chicks are: 1 is pure Marans I'm fairly certain. 1 is definitely an olive egger as it isn't black like a Marans and it came out of a Marans egg. The other is either a olive egger or pure EE. It has the same coloring as the OE but it has more feathering on the legs...

If I keep these, would they be ok with the chicks I am suppose to get next Friday? They would be 4-6 days apart in age I believe.

They'll be fine to go together. In my experience, up to about 3 weeks old the chicks just don't understand pecking order or the addition of new babies. My current in house group is 5 days, 12 days and 15 days old. I just added the youngest on Friday, the oldest ones were 13 days and didn't even notice the newest ones.

 

[lovincolorado]

Quote: Yup! I am in Bailey. Why do you ask trochefarms?

 

[megshenhut]

Anyone from Park County out here?

Not Park County, but Chaffee County - next county west of there.

 

[lovincolorado]

Not Park County, but Chaffee County - next county west of there.

Hows the snow out your way?
I saw you were trying to hatch turkeys. Sorry to hear it didnt go well. What kind do you have, or were these to be your first?