How long before chicks need to eat and drink after hatch?

[Alpops]

There are about 9 eggs left, so a long time to go....OK - will wait and see what happens today!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The thing about taking chicks out as soon as they hatch is that their chirping seems to encourages the other eggs to make a greater effort to hatch. Just give them a little sugar water or buttermilk to drink when they hatch. I use an old political yard sigh cut into quarters to feed my chicks their first meal on. It is chick grit, quickly followed by finely mashed hard boiled egg, a little mash, and some dry Old Fashion Oat Meal. In 10 minutes your new hatched chicks will be scratching this all over the brooder so don't pile it on, just a little at first. Add more as they eat or waste what you've already fed them.

 

[Alpops]

Thanks...one week on and the chick is doing fine still no siblings but happy as he now has 2 mums - one duck and one bantam chicken has stepped in to help!