giving day old chicks water?

[Sjisty]

If you buy a quail waterer, you don't need the marbles. I always use my quail waterers for the first several days and then switch over to a chicken waterer after they are about 4 or so days old.

 

[Whimsy]

Quote:
That is how momma hen shows them what to eat, by pecking on the ground. Relax they will do great.

 

[CupOJoe42]

Everyone pretty much already said it....

When first hatched and dried off, water is more important than food. They can actually go 2-3 days without food because of the yolk that has been absorbed into their bodies. This is why hatcheries can ship day old chicks successfully.

Room temperature water is best, so they don't get chilled. Sugar is not necessary in the water (unless they were shipped and left overnight and are not perky.) Sugar can actually give them the runs or pasty butt. Put marbles in the waterer so that they don't drown. Chicks will fall asleep in a flash while standing and their little heads will drop down as they nod off. The water should be changed daily. If chicks are not perky after a day or so, you can add some chick vitamins/electrolytes to the water.

Crumbles can be scattered on the paper towels, until they get the idea of eating it and then offered in a feeder.

Chicks can be left on pine wood shavings after a few days of being on the paper towels. Once they learn where the food is, they will be less apt to eat the pine shavings.

CHECK FREQUENTLY FOR PASTY BUTT. It must be gently cleaned off as soon as possible (warm wet cloth and gently rubbing) until the vent is clean and "winking." You may see something below the vent that looks like poop but will not clean off - this is the umbilical cord. Do not pick it off!

Hope this helps! We've all been newbies at one time or another, so feel free to ask questions if you're not sure!!!

 

[Gypsy07]

They do fall asleep in a flash and fall over wherever they're standing. It is a good idea to think carefully about the dangers of drowning and take all the necessary precautions. But once you've done that, relax and don't worry about it. I've never had a chick drown in a water dish yet, and over the years I've had some REALLY stoopid chicks to deal with! If you've got marbles in the water, they should be absolutely fine. After the first day, if they're all strong and healthy, you shouldn't have anything to worry about at all.

 

[kellyjo8437]

Is giving sugar in water for the first day or two an old wives tale...? I have heard yes and no. My Grandmother gave me the tip..... Good or bad?

 

[ceeceeholt]

I found a small red waterer at TSC with a really small rim. A pint ball jar fits to hold the water. When they were about 2 weeks old I took it out and used the larger one, had no problems!

 

[Gypsy07]

Quote:
With healthy chicks you've hatched out yourself, they shouldn't need the sugar water. They should be fine with just normal water. Sugar water is to give a quick boost to chicks that have been shipped to you, maybe spent a day longer than you expected in transit, and have reached you looking a bit dull and listless, probably due to mild dehydration.

I've never given my own chicks sugar water; they've all been fine with the basic stuff!

 

[kellyjo8437]

Quote:
With healthy chicks you've hatched out yourself, they shouldn't need the sugar water. They should be fine with just normal water. Sugar water is to give a quick boost to chicks that have been shipped to you, maybe spent a day longer than you expected in transit, and have reached you looking a bit dull and listless, probably due to mild dehydration.

I've never given my own chicks sugar water; they've all been fine with the basic stuff!

Good to know thank you.