Do Baby Chicks Really Need Sugar Water?

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Oh Okay :D , The Hatchery Is About 6-7 Hours Away So Will I Need Sugar Water? And What If I Don't Give Them Sugar Water? I Would Need To Give The Warm Water, But For How Long?
Also Okay I'll Try To Post Pictures. :)

Thanks For The Luck. :)
 
I leave a waterer in the brooder with the chicks. If you buy a chick waterer from a feed store, you can leave it in with them. The only time I don't leave the water in with them is if I have waterfowl hatch. They tend to drink too much and it can kill them. It's not necessary to give them sugar water, but it won't hurt them either to receive an extra boost of energy.
 
I didn't read all of the posts but I must attest to the benefits of sugar water. I lost 2 of my Jersey Giant chicks overnight due to an unexpected cold snap and it was colder than I had thought it would be. I moved the chicks to the garage and 1 more was acting a bit lethargic. I went out about 2 hours ago and it was listliss and could barely hold it's head up. I mixed up some sugar water in a syringe and forced it to drink some. I went out every 15 minutes and gave it a few more drops. Just went to check (and expected to find it dead ) and he was up and walking around. I made sure to show him the water and food again.

Thats him in the middle by himself. Sugar water rocks! I went ahead and added some electrolytes to their water just in case.
 
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jdywntr said:
I didn't read all of the posts but I must attest to the benefits of sugar water.  I lost 2 of my Jersey Giant chicks overnight due to an unexpected cold snap and it was colder than I had thought it would be.  I moved the chicks to the garage and 1 more was acting a bit lethargic.  I went out about 2 hours ago and it was listliss and could barely hold it's head up.  I mixed up some sugar water in a syringe and forced it to drink some.  I went out every 15 minutes and gave it a few more drops.  Just went to check (and expected to find it dead ) and he was up and walking around.  I made sure to show him the water and food again.

Thats him in the middle by himself.  Sugar water rocks!  I went ahead and added some electrolytes to their water just in case.
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Aww, Sorry for Your Loss. :(
Now I'm Thinking About Giving Them Sugar Water. How Much Sugar Do I Put In The Water? An How Much Water Do I Need?

Oh And how Old Are They?
There So Adorable! :D
 
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Thanks. I had 30 to start with so I'm only down to 28. They range from 4 days to 8 days old. I got them from a local breeder. I just wanted to post my experience so that people can see that sugar water can help WHEN needed.

I would have some sugar on hand but unless they are late arriving or seem lethargic when they arrive, just give room temp water. You should have your brooder set up with the light on and the temperature regulated before they arrive. Put their waterer in their the night before so it will adjust to the brooder temp. They are so small that cold water can bring their body temp down which is bad.

My book says 1.5 cups sugar per gallon of water. That seems like alot to me but someone else may be able to chime in. I just put about 1/2 teaspoon in some water and tasted it to see if it was sweet.

Make sure to call your PO. They can all have different policies. I've heard of some people actually getting thier chicks delivered to their house by the PO but I think that is rare. You want to get them home ASAP to avoid prolonged stress. Unless you are VERY far from the PO or they are delayed in arriving, wait until your home to give them water. Dip each of their beaks in the water and make sure they swallow. Try not to move the waterer or feeder at first and make sure they are close to the heat source but not directly under it.

Good luck and post pics.
 
jdywntr said:
Thanks.  I had 30 to start with so I'm only down to 28.  They range from 4 days to 8 days old.  I got them from a local breeder.  I just wanted to post my experience so that people can see that sugar water can help WHEN needed.

I would have some sugar on hand but unless they are late arriving or seem lethargic when they arrive, just give room temp water.  You should have your brooder set up with the light on and the temperature regulated before they arrive.  Put their waterer in their the night before so it will adjust to the brooder temp.  They are so small that cold water can bring their body temp down which is bad. 

My book says 1.5 cups sugar per gallon of water.  That seems like alot to me but someone else may be able to chime in.  I just put about 1/2 teaspoon in some water and tasted it to see if it was sweet.

Make sure to call your PO.  They can all have different policies.  I've heard of some people actually getting thier chicks delivered to their house by the PO but I think that is rare.  You want to get them home ASAP to avoid prolonged stress.  Unless you are VERY far from the PO or they are delayed in arriving, wait until your home to give them water.  Dip each of their beaks in the water and make sure they swallow.  Try not to move the waterer or feeder at first and make sure they are close to the heat source but not directly under it.

Good luck and post pics.
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Thanks I'll Need It. :) Especially For A First Timer, And I Will Try To Post Pictures. Do You Leave Your Chicks Outside? And No The Post Office Isn't Far Its Like 10-15 Minutes Away. But I'd Rather Pick Them Up Cause The Mail Always Comes Between 2-3 P.M. So The Chicks Would Probably Be Really Stressed Out.

Thanks For Letting Me Know How To Warm Te Water To The Room Temperature Cause I Read About It And Was Like "How Am I Going To Do That?!" Thanks :D . Have You Ever Had A Batch Of Chicks That You Ordered All Survive? Or More Than Have Survive? Till They Start Laying/Crowing? Or Is That A Low Chance Of Happening?

Okay, If They Are Late Or Stressed Out I'll Give Them Some Sugar Water. :)
 
I got 12 chicks from Texas (I am in Maine) and they all made it just fine in June. I let my letter carrier know that I was expecting chickens and she told me where to go to get them. It was actually not the Post Office I thought it was going to be. I also had the option of having them delivered to the door but that would add 6-8 hours. Her husband has 60+ chickens so she was very familiar with shipping chicks. The morning they arrived I got a call at 6AM and I was there picking them up at 6:20.

When I got them home I gave them room temperature water. If any seemed lethargic I was going to switch to sugar water but they all looked alert and active. I was lucky and had no problems. They are 7 weeks now and will move to the coop outside next week. I have been taking them out on nice days and letting them play in a fenced area that is about 15' x 15'. I use a couple old dog pens tied together (they are about 3 feet high). Every day I move it like a chicken tractor and they have new grass, weeds, and bugs to eat. My wife and I bring out a couple chairs and read and watch out Chicken TV. One of us stayed with them at all times because occasionally one gets a running start and ends up flying over the fence. It is fun to watch them when they first go out and they all run around flapping their wings enjoying the fresh air and bigger area.
 

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