Food and water shortage

[jjared]

Just returned home from a week long vacation and had my father-in-law taking care of my 7 mixed breed 5 week old chicks. He was supposed to be feeding and watering them, but I arrived home today to find the feeder empty and the water bone dry. I know my daughter was home 5 days ago and filled everything (1 gallon waterer with a base, not nipples), but beyond that, I've no idea how long they've been without water. Most are pretty lively, but a couple of the chicks are more lethargic and are holding tails down. All chicks ran straight to the feeder when I filled it, and all chicks have also been drinking. Should I intervene or see where time takes them? I have electrolytes, yogurt, Corid, and multivitamin. Suggestions?

 

[PirateGirl]

I would set up a second water station just to be sure they can easily all drink at one time (even if it's just a bowl). I'd probably give them the electrolytes too. You can provide a bowl of moist food as well so that when they eat they are also hydrating at the same time. Hopefully they all perk up soon!

 

[jjared]

I would set up a second water station just to be sure they can easily all drink at one time (even if it's just a bowl). I'd probably give them the electrolytes too. You can provide a bowl of moist food as well so that when they eat they are also hydrating at the same time. Hopefully they all perk up soon!

Thank you. I'm heading out now to doctor the girls and clean the coop. Sure hope I don't lose any; feel I've neglected them even though I wasn't here.....

 

[CCUK]

I hope they'll be OK. Good advice from @PirateGirl. Reading this makes me very nervous. I'm going away for a week and a friend with no chicken experience said she will feed and water them. I have no alternative. I've had enough problems recently and don't need any more!

 

[PirateGirl]

Don't stress too much. It was not your fault and you were not home so there was nothing you could do. It's possible even all the water leaked out if the base wasn't screwed on well. Hopefully they weren't actually out of water for too long!

 

[chickens really]

Hello, actually feed them as usual and don't wet the feed it's not needed. Could cause them to gorge themselves and then you will have possibly sour crop or impacted crop to deal with..Fresh water and feed. They should be fine..

 

[jjared]

All 7 chicks seem fine 3 days after discovering no food or water. They've all perked right up and act healthy. Phew!

 

[Louavull chicken lady]

I have just experienced the same thing. When I returned from a week long vacation the chickens water bucket was bone dry. When I confronted my pet sitter she told me the las time she gave them water was Monday and we returned on Sunday!!! When full, their bucket will last 2-3 days. The best scenario is that they were without water for 2 days.
When I filled the bucket the ladies immediately started drinking water and didn't stop for 10-15 minutes. My ladies range in age from 7months to 3 years old. We have not had a single egg laid since we returned 7 days ago. Has anyone experienced this? will they ever lay again? Any suggestions on what I need to do to help them? They are all acting fine and not showing any signs illness. Any help would be greatly appreciated! And I will be finding a new pet sitter!

 

[CCUK]

I have just experienced the same thing. When I returned from a week long vacation the chickens water bucket was bone dry. When I confronted my pet sitter she told me the las time she gave them water was Monday and we returned on Sunday!!! When full, their bucket will last 2-3 days. The best scenario is that they were without water for 2 days.
When I filled the bucket the ladies immediately started drinking water and didn't stop for 10-15 minutes. My ladies range in age from 7months to 3 years old. We have not had a single egg laid since we returned 7 days ago. Has anyone experienced this? will they ever lay again? Any suggestions on what I need to do to help them? They are all acting fine and not showing any signs illness. Any help would be greatly appreciated! And I will be finding a new pet sitter!

If they're looking ok and seem normal I would say they'll probably be OK. A chicken that is in lay will need a good amount of water (I'm not sure how much without lookin it up) to produce eggs. So long as their water intake has settled down to a normal level , they will start to lay again. It could take a couple of weeks though. It may be worthwhile putting some electrolytes in the water to help boost there vitamin and mineral levels. Other than normal layers pellets and oyster and grit I wouldn't give them anything else.

 

[Louavull chicken lady]

If they're looking ok and seem normal I would say they'll probably be OK. A chicken that is in lay will need a good amount of water (I'm not sure how much without lookin it up) to produce eggs. So long as their water intake has settled down to a normal level , they will start to lay again. It could take a couple of weeks though. It may be worthwhile putting some electrolytes in the water to help boost there vitamin and mineral levels. Other than normal layers pellets and oyster and grit I wouldn't give them anything else.

Thanks for the advice. I have added electrolytes to their water and will see what happens.