Day olds not drinking water

[impr3]

I have 10 chicks that I hatched yesterday (a few are closer to 2 days old as they hatched the day before) none of whom are drinking. I dipped all their beaks when I moved them to the brooder but I'm worried I didn't do it right as only 3 or 4 of them visibly swallowed afterwards. Since then I've dipped a few more and gotten swallows, so maybe about half have demonstrated that they can drink. However, none of them are going to the waterer on their own...

For reference, this is my first batch of chicks (except as a small kid which I don't remember). They otherwise seem super healthy, running around without issues, chirping up a storm, and eating like champs. In fact, they are eating well from the feeder which I only had in there to get them used to it (I scattered lose feed on the floor as instructed for very young chicks but they prefer the feeder...). They just won't drink from the waterer.

The waterer itself is just a shallow tray with an upside down yogurt pot full of water on it (that drains through a few holes poked in the rim). Not sure what the official name is, but it seems pretty standard. No nipples or anything for them to figure out.

I have two theories: 1) I'm doing something wrong, or 2) it's totally normal for chicks not to be thirsty at this age. Seems highly unlikely that all 10 chicks have something wrong with them so guessing that's not the issue. Can someone help me fix this or put my mind at rest? Thanks!

PS. I tried searching for existing threads on the topic but could only find ones on older chicks stopping drinking.

 

[neo71665]

Your 2nd theory is correct.

At a day old they are still living off the nutrients of their egg

 

[impr3]

Your 2nd theory is correct.

At a day old they are still living off the nutrients of their egg

Thank you! I was mostly concerned as I had to leave for work for the day and didn't want to come home to a bunch of chicks dying of thirst... Also, they had just eaten a whole bunch of dry crumb feed and I couldn't imagine trying to digest that with no water!! Feeling much less anxious now .

 

[Alaskan]

Thank you! I was mostly concerned as I had to leave for work for the day and didn't want to come home to a bunch of chicks dying of thirst... Also, they had just eaten a whole bunch of dry crumb feed and I couldn't imagine trying to digest that with no water!! Feeling much less anxious now .

Probably all good...
But I tend to be paranoid.

The first couple days I take all out of the brooder once a day and put them into a box. Then I return them to the brooder, one at a time, dipping their beak in the water, checking their bottom too.

Once all are back in the brooder I tap at the feed, and make sure all of the chicks are showing interest in the feed.

 

[Chookwagn]

If you have water available, they will find it. One will find it and the others will copy... they will be fine

 

[impr3]

The first couple days I take all out of the brooder once a day and put them into a box. Then I return them to the brooder, one at a time, dipping their beak in the water, checking their bottom too.

I had planned to do something similar to check for pasty butt, give them extra human contact, and help me work on identifying them (the 3 lavender orps look way too similar!). I will add a beak dip to the protocol if they're still having issues.

I doubt we'll need to give them any encouragement on food - there was a frenzy when I sprinkled crumb in there this morning. I counted to be sure all 10 were eating. Even the little last hatcher who can't handle very long out from under the heater eventually dove in.

 

[impr3]

FYI, they started drinking like champs by the end of that first day. Thanks for helping to put my overly anxious mind at ease!

 

[Alaskan]

FYI, they started drinking like champs by the end of that first day. Thanks for helping to put my overly anxious mind at ease!

Very nice!