Help giving water to new babies

[Tsmom]

My friend and I are about to hatch our first silkies and I had read somewhere you shouldn't give them water for so long after hatching but I forgot how long and where I found it in the first place. Please help we don't want to harm our babies. Tia

 

[drumstick diva]

I've never heard that. Maybe you would like to post on the silkie thread to get opinions from people who should know. Just put "Silkie thread," in the search box and it should pop up for you.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! I think what your meaning is that they don't need water or food for upto 72 hours after hatching. Not that you shouldn't have it available for them once you move them to the brooder. They absorb the yolk before hatching so survive on that untill it runs out and they need water and food. In nature this is so mother hen can continue to sit on eggs and hatched chicks untill she feels hatch is completed before leaving the nest to show her new babies how to eat and drink.
Once your silkies have hatched they are fine to stay in the incubator they don't need water straight away. I leave mine in there for at least 24 hours before moving them to the brooder. Once in the brooder I give them chance to settle before gently dipping their beaks in the water so they know where it is. Tapping the chick crumb with your finger so they can here it encourages them to start pecking at it too.

Good luck with your silkies, hope you have a great hatch. Here is an article on raising chicks https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens