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Incubator hatched chicks drinking water for the first time . . .

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by scoopy82, Jun 5, 2011.

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  1. Jun 5, 2011 #1
    scoopy82

    scoopy82 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 19, 2010
    Victoria - Australia!
    I currently have 21 incubator hatched chicks in the brooder and I'm just wondering how people give them the idea about drinking water and eating the chick food. Most of my lot seem to be super curious about the food and have picked up straight away on eating it, but I'm just a little worried about the water situation. I have seen a few drink, and dipped a few beaks into the water when they were first put in - but i didn't do all of them in hope that the others would see some drinking and catch on. What does everyone else do? Do they pretty much work it out for themselves or do they all need to be shown?
     
  3. Jun 5, 2011 #2
    Shannon33

    Shannon33 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Feb 23, 2010
    Eastern Shore, VA
    I do the beak dip when I have had chicks in the house. But when mama hatches them outside I don't do anything so I am assuming they do learn from watching others.
     
  5. Jun 5, 2011 #3
    gryeyes

    gryeyes Covered in Pet Hair & Feathers

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    Sep 22, 2009
    My slice of heaven in Somerset, CA
    They do learn from each other, but over the next couple of days I would be sure to watch to make sure they're all drinking. If you suspect one or two aren't, just dip their beaks in the water. It's never too late to show 'em how. But you'll probably discover they learn from each other.

    ...especially if you let the waterer get empty, because when you fill it and put it back in the brooder, every chick will gather 'round to drink.....

    Guess how I know this. [​IMG]
     
  7. Jun 5, 2011 #4
    steelshot

    steelshot Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 6, 2008
    North Carolina
    I don't beak dip all of them, like Shannon said I believe they quickly learn from the others. Good Luck
     

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