How important is it to dip new chicks beak in the water?

[VaM715]

I got 14 out of 36 eggs hatched so far starting yesterday at 8:00 am. Moved them to the brooder about 6 this am. They are already pecking the food I sprinkled. I just remembered I did not dip their beaks in the water. I am at work so it will be later before I get home. Will they find it on their own?
I did put marbles in the chick waterer.

 

[hinkjc]

Congrats on your new babies!

We only dip the beaks for shipped chicks, not ones hatched at home. Reason being..ones hatched at home have 3 days to find water, which they usually do. Shipped ones have already lost those 3 days and they need it as fast as possible to rehydrate them from the trip. Yes, they will find it on their own. If you have doubts, just tap on the water dish and they will come.

The marbles are a great attractant as well.


Jody

 

[pepperluvsmee]

Quote:
Excellent idea. I use marbles or rocks to attract those curious little peeps to the dish. Good luck and have fun!
-Theresa

 

[jaku]

My shipped chicks found water without any problem. I started out trying to dip their beaks, but it was actually really tough to do it so I figured I'd give them a shot on their own. They wanted nothing to do with it when I was holding them, but went right for it when doing it on their own.

 

[carress]

In my limited experience, chicks are copycats! Once one finds it, the others will probably follow.

 

[Portia]

I don't know if this is the norm, but I didn't dip any beaks out of 29 hatchery chicks and they found food and water on their own very quickly.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Very important. Please dip the beaks into the water for each chick.