First peachick hatched. Guesses on color?

[RubyNala97]

I always use Sav-A-Chick probiotics and electrolytes for the first 3 days of life, minimum. Fragile birds (peafowl, turkeys) get them for the first week. They come in packets designed for 1 gallon of water and can be used together. However, you don't need to mic the entire gallon at the same time. Just eyeball the amount you need for the amount of water being used. The electrolytes are colored orange and the correct amount will make the water a light orange color.

I don't think I would ferment medicated feed, and I really wouldn't say fermented feed is something that would benefit chicks enough to be worth it. They're so little the difference in consumption would be negligable, and the Sav-A-Chick probiotics will mimic the positive effects of fermented feed anyways.

Ok, thank you. I have both the electrolyte and probiotic packets on hand. My peachicks just hatched today. When can I expect to see them start drinking and eating? They are still in the hatcher. But I was thinking of moving them to the brooder tonight. And I will show them where the food and water is.

 

[DylansMom]

Ok, thank you. I have both the electrolyte and probiotic packets on hand. My peachicks just hatched today. When can I expect to see them start drinking and eating? They are still in the hatcher. But I was thinking of moving them to the brooder tonight. And I will show them where the food and water is.

I would hold off on the food and water until tomorrow. They can actually go 4-5 days without food or water, but I usually wait until they are 1-2 days and have their legs under them, then I start with a little glass dish of each and tap it with my fingernail. The sound gets their attention and when they come over to investigate put a little on your fingernail and they will peck at it. I moisten my starter a little with warm water so it will stick to my nail and they really like it moistened..... just a little.

 

[RubyNala97]

I would hold off on the food and water until tomorrow. They can actually go 4-5 days without food or water, but I usually wait until they are 1-2 days and have their legs under them, then I start with a little glass dish of each and tap it with my fingernail. The sound gets their attention and when they come over to investigate put a little on your fingernail and they will peck at it. I moisten my starter a little with warm water so it will stick to my nail and they really like it moistened..... just a little.

Ok, this is excellent to know. My special little one did drink a little. I'm sure that's ok though. But good to know not a necessity this early in the game. What is their first poop supposed to look like? It was black & slimey.

 

[DylansMom]

Ok, this is excellent to know. My special little one did drink a little. I'm sure that's ok though. But good to know not a necessity this early in the game. What is their first poop supposed to look like? It was black & slimey.

First poops are black and sometimes greenish and slimey, so those are normal, it's digesting the rest of the yolk. I had one hatch last year that I had to sit in a small Tupperware container with a washcloth around him to keep him upright. His toes were curled bad and since he couldn't walk they would not straighten out so I taped them. I had to hobble brace the little guys legs as well. He sat in that container not eating or drinking for about 4-5 days until he finally was able to stand and walk. I really didn't expect him to live, he couldn't hold his head up either. But he surprised me, I walked in one morning and he was just out of the container and walking around rather wobbly at first, but he was doing it. Showed him water several times before he figured it out and then food. He did have some vision issues and he was not the brightest, I think he had some oxygen deprivation while hatching, but little "Forrest" found a home with a lovely family that wasn't afraid to try a special needs Peacock.

 

[RubyNala97]

First poops are black and sometimes greenish and slimey, so those are normal, it's digesting the rest of the yolk. I had one hatch last year that I had to sit in a small Tupperware container with a washcloth around him to keep him upright. His toes were curled bad and since he couldn't walk they would not straighten out so I taped them. I had to hobble brace the little guys legs as well. He sat in that container not eating or drinking for about 4-5 days until he finally was able to stand and walk. I really didn't expect him to live, he couldn't hold his head up either. But he surprised me, I walked in one morning and he was just out of the container and walking around rather wobbly at first, but he was doing it. Showed him water several times before he figured it out and then food. He did have some vision issues and he was not the brightest, I think he had some oxygen deprivation while hatching, but little "Forrest" found a home with a lovely family that wasn't afraid to try a special needs Peacock.

Awwww. That's wonderful!! He is quite adorable!! im glad he made it. I'm keeping an eye on my special guy. I sit and peck at the food and water and they come running over to see whats going on and pick at the food. I hard boiled some yoke I'm going to mash for them. Are there any good books on caring for peafowl?

 

[critters]

A lot of good info in this thread ! And I was told early on that cedar was a major no-no for peafowl and guineas as well..deadly and not to use! so I use the large flake pine shavings once I put them onto shavings...until then I use those rubber maid type shelf liners.. They work great and all you need to do is switch it out when cleaning with a clean dry one...wash the dirty one up and let air dry and it's ready for the next use so your not throwing your money out either! I have used pee pads if I have too many brooders going at once...