Do Baby Chicks Really Need Sugar Water?

[ManuelsChickens]

So I've Heard Aboyt Prople Giving Their Chicks Sugar Water Why Do They Give them This? What Does It Help Them With? Is It Better For Them? Also I've Heard That You Get Emailed A Day Before Your Chicks Arrive And They Give You Tracking Information What's That? And How Do You Use It? ( First Time Ordering Chicks.) And Do You Really Have To Call A Day Before Saying That You Ordered Chicks? Or They Still Will Call You ASAP? One More Thing Lol, I Put In The "Ship To" Box My Address Will They Send It To My House Or To The Post Office?

Thanks .

 

[cassie]

Warm sugar water helps the baby chicks to recover from the stresses of shipping. The sugar provides quick energy. Baby chicks are thirsty after their trip, so it is important that the water be warm so they don't get chilled from drinking cold water. You only give the sugar water for the first 12 hours or so. Go on the Murray McMurray web page and find their instructions on caring for the baby chicks when they arrive. It will tell you what you need to know.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Warm sugar water helps the baby chicks to recover from the stresses of shipping. The sugar provides quick energy.  Baby chicks are thirsty after their trip, so it is important that the water be warm so they don't get chilled from drinking cold water.  You only give the sugar water for the first 12 hours or so.  Go on the Murray McMurray web page and find their instructions on caring for the baby chicks when they arrive.  It will tell you what you need to know.

What If Its To Hot? You Still Give Them Warm Sugar Water?

 

[RonC]

Room temperature water would be fine, just not chilled.

The hatchery will email you when you chicks ship and give you a tracking number that the post office and you can track your package with. You can also go online and track the number at the postal service's website. They are usually slow about updating it so not much good using the site on rush orders. If you let your local post office know they are coming they can keep an eye out for them and let you know when they arrive at the post office. Be prepared for an early call! I'm sure they will deliver them to your house if that's the address you gave. The advantage of picking them up at the post office itself is they don't wait in the heat to be loaded on a hot truck and driven around town till they are delivered. The less stress the little ones have the better chance they will arrive in good condition.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Room temperature water would be fine, just not chilled.

The hatchery will email you when you chicks ship and give you a tracking number that the post office and you can track your package with. You can also go online and track the number at the postal service's website. They are usually slow about updating it so not much good using the site on rush orders. If you let your local post office know they are coming they can keep an eye out for them and let you know when they arrive at the post office. Be prepared for an early call! I'm sure they will deliver them to your house if that's the address you gave. The advantage of picking them up at the post office itself is they don't wait in the heat to be loaded on a hot truck and driven around town till they are delivered. The less stress the little ones have the better chance they will arrive in good condition.

Wait, So They Will Be Delivered To My House? But Won't That Take Even Longer?!

 

[ManuelsChickens]

I Am Getting Them Wednesday, So I Should Call Tuesday And Tell Them That "I Am Expecting Chicks So Can You Please Call As Soon As They Receive Them So I Can Go Pick Them Up?" Or Will They Directly Send Them To My House? Also Does Each City Have Only One PO?

 

[kellanv]

Despite the "ship to" address they will send it to the post office and call you to pick them up.

 

[erinszoo]

We've never used sugar water with our chicks and we've never had a loss. You just have to make sure to dip their beaks in the water so they know where to find it. Our post office calls us about 6 in the morning or so when their mail comes in for the day and we go down and pick them up. If you don't know what PO they will be sent to and you have more than one in your town, when they call ask where to pick them up.

 

[ManuelsChickens]

Oh Okay, I'm Going To Send The Hatchery A Email And See If They Can Tell Me If there Going To Be Sent To The PO.

Thanks Guys.

 

[tdhenson86]

In the past, we have raised chicks with sugar water and without. In my experience, the further they traveled, the more important the sugar water. If you pick them up at the local feed store, they've had plenty of time to eat and gain energy. If they've traveled 1500 miles, they need some energy fast. While they can eat to get energy, processing the feed into energy takes time. If you give them sugar water, it gives them a little boost of energy. I usually use about 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar per gallon of water with mine. Room temperature water is best because it is not too hot or chilling cold for them. Our post office always calls us when they arrive, but it is best to call ahead and give them a heads up. Please post pictures when they come! Wishing you the best of luck!